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David Nalbandian facing assault charges

06/18/2012 12:48 PM ET
By Stephanie Jenks

Following Sunday's Aegon Championships, it’s safe to say that John McEnroe won’t be the only tennis player remembered for his on-court outbursts.

David Nalbandian, currently ranked No. 30 in the world, was disqualified from the tournament after he angrily slammed his right foot into a wooden advertising board, leaving a gash on linesman Andrew McDougall’s left leg.

Prior to the outburst, Nalbandian was leading 7-6, 3-3 against Marin Cilic, until he was broken in the seventh game.

The angry behavior shocked the more than 12,000 tennis fans in attendance at the Queen’s Club, and the London police are currently investigating whether Nalbandian should be charged with assault.

“We are aware of an incident at the Aegon Championships on 17 June. A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan police service is now investigating. The allegation is of assault," a spokesman for Scotland Yard said.

This isn’t the tennis star’s first outburst on the court. Ten years ago, Nalbandian verbally assaulted a linesman during the Vina del Mar tournament in Chile.

Along with potential criminal charges for assault, the Argentine faces fines of $10,000. Nalbandian has since apologized and forfeited his prize money and ranking points for the week.

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