Nadal backs tougher penalties for abuse of tennis officials - "We have to be a positive example, especially for the kids"

Following the controversy around Alexander Zverev after he was fined for abusing a tennis official last month, Rafael Nadal has called for tougher penalties to be imposed on tennis stars who display the same kind of behavior.

Zverev was kicked out of the singles draw at Acapulco last month when he smashed his racquet on an umpire’s chair following a doubles defeat. The Olympic Gold medalist has since been given a one-year probation with no immediate punishment and Nadal feels it’s time to clamp down on what he believes to be a growing trend of dissent.

"I have a good relationship with Sascha, I like him, I practice with him very often, so I wish him all the very best. And he knows that he was wrong and he recognized that very early and that's a positive thing," Nadal said.

"On the other hand, if we are not able to control this type of attitude on court, not just this one instance in particular, there has been other stuff going on in the last couple of months.

The Spaniard believes a more severe punishment would deter players from acting this way, and he made it clear when speaking to the media ahead of his first match at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells tournament.

"If we are not able to penalize these types of attitudes in a little stronger way, then we as players will feel stronger and stronger all the time," said Nadal. "In this sport, we have to be a positive example, especially for the kids."