DAVID Nalbandian was disqualified after kicking an advertising board and injuring a line judge during the AEGON Championships final.The Argentinian was leading Marin Cilic 7-6, 3-4 when he smashed the board into Andrew McDougall, which caused a nasty gash to his leg.
Umpire Fergus Murphy awarded the match to Croat Cilic, disqualifying Nalbandian for 'unsportsmanlike behaviour'.
Tournament official Chris Kermode said: "We're in the middle of a wonderful final and David Nalbandian ran across and in frustration kicked a panel underneath the line judge.
"The panel went into his leg and cut it - he's quite seriously injured. The game has ended with a code violation.
"David is struggling to come to terms with it. He clearly regrets what happened - but these things happen.
"It's sold out and they are watching some great tennis, so to have the match end this way is quite disappointing.
"But there's not a lot we can do about it. We are under the governance of ATP rules.
"The official has been taken up to the medical centre. I've not had a chance to see how he's doing. It was a pure accident.
"You'd like to think you can bend the rules but if you allow it [the game to continue] it sets a precedent. If you start changing the rules you have to be very clear."
Nalbandian has apologised for the incident, adding: "I'm sorry, sometimes we get very frustrated on court.
"It is tough to control. Sometimes it is a mistake. It is a tough moment to end a final like that.
"Sometimes we feel the pressure from the ATP. It is a mistake and I have to pay for that. Everybody makes mistakes.
"I didn't feel it had to end like that, especially not a final. I am very sorry.
"There are a lot of rules, the rule book is very big, but he ATP makes mistakes with the players and nothing happens."
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