Pospisil labels ATP chief an ‘a**hole’

Angry about tennis politics, Vasek Pospisil has been unable to control his emotions and aimed at an expletive-ridden tirade at the ATP’s top official during his first-round exit at the Miami Open.

Pospisil angrily launched a ball out of the court and smashed two racquets in the first set.

Serving while facing a set point, he was penalised for verbal abuse to lose the set.

During the changeover after his first-set meltdown, Pospisil began explaining to the chair umpire Arnaud Gabas why he was so agitated – using a profanity to describe ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

“What’s happening today? An hour and half yesterday, the chair of the ATP f***ing screaming at me in a player meeting, for trying to unite the players,” Pospisil said.

“For an hour and a half. The leader of the ATP.

“Get him out here. … f***ing a**hole.”

The chair umpire did his best to placate Pospisil.

“That’s enough. If you need to say something to him, then do it outside this court, please,” Gabas said.

Pospisil asked himself, “Why am I out here supporting this f***… If you wanna default me, I’ll gladly sue this organisation.”

Pospisil, who has been trying to set up a new group to represent men’s professional players, regained his composure after dropping the opening set but eventually lost to qualifier Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 4-6 6-3.

Pospisil and No.1-ranked Novak Djokovic have been trying to set up the new group.

Tennis players never have had a union, unlike athletes in team sports across the globe.

A former top-25 player, 30-year-old Pospisil – last year’s ATP comeback player of the year – is now ranked 67th.

Pospisil later said his meeting with the ATP had “unnerved” him.

“I want to sincerely apologise for my behaviour on the court in Miami earlier today,” Pospisil, who did not speak to the media after his match, said on Twitter.

“I disrespected the game I love and for that I am truly sorry. By way of explanation, I felt deeply unnerved during a meeting between players and ATP executives last night, and I underestimated the toll those emotions took on me until I stepped onto the court today.

“Again, I am sorry for my on-court behaviour and the language I used.”

The ATP Tour did not immediately respond to a request for comment.