ITF suspend Iranian tennis player Majid Abedini after bizarre attack on umpire

The incident took place at a Futures event, the lowest rung of professional tennis, in Antalya, Turkey last weekend.

Abedini was taking on British player Imran Aswat in qualifying and was trailing 6-0 2-0 when he reacted angrily to the supervisor and chased him.

In the video posted on YouTube, the supervisor is seen running off court and shutting the gate, at which point Abedini beats the gate with his racquet and kicks it while shouting at the official.

The ITF said in a statement: “The ITF announced that a Notice of Investigation has been issued to Iranian tennis player Majid Abedini following an incident at the ITF Pro Circuit event in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday 17 April.

“Mr Abedini has been provisionally suspended in accordance with the ITF Welfare Policy and is further subject to an investigation into a possible Player Major Offence of Aggravated Behaviour.

“Following this investigation, any additional sanction will be announced.”

Abedini, who is 29 and unranked, was defaulted from the match and could now face a lengthy ban.