"There would have been stricter consequences if Serena Williams had done what Alexander Zverev did, welcome to the world of men and women" - Chris Evert

Chris Evert became the latest voice to criticize the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for the inadequate punishment sentence metted out on Alexander Zverev. The 18-time Grand Slam champion declared that the consequences would have been much harsher if it were Serena Williams who had committed the violation.

The World No. 3 came into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons when he violently assaulted the umpire's chair during the 2022 Mexican Open. The argument came about after Zverev disagreed with the referee's call during a critical point in his doubles match, and the act of physical intimidation was preceded by verbal abuse as well.

The German was immediately disqualified from the tournament for "unsportsmanlike conduct" for his actions. He was also docked of all ranking points and prize money from the tournament, in addition to a fine to the tune of $40,000. After further investigation, the ATP levied another $25,000 fine, a year-long probation period and an 8 week suspended ban that would kick in if the 24-year-old has any further violations.

Many fans and pundits have called out the sentence for not being up to the mark, a sentiment also endorsed by Serena Williams earlier this month. In an interview with CNN even before the probation sentence was announced, the 23-time Grand Slam champion pontificated that if it had been she who had done the act, she'd "probably be in jail."

Speaking to Eurosport, Chris Evert did not think the former World No. 1 was far off in her assessment. The American had no doubt that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) would have handled the situation with far more seriousness than the men's tennis body.

“There would have been stricter consequences if Serena Williams had done [what Alexander Zverev did]. I think the WTA would have put stricter consequences on any woman who would have done this," Evert said. "The umpire looked like he was in harm's way and that's serious."

While Evert did not think the sentence would be as harsh as Serena Williams posited, she did not shy away from pointing out the obvious gender component to the difference in punishments.

"I wouldn't go as far as saying she would go to jail, but I think she has a point and I think that definitely her consequences would have been far stricter than Alexander Zverev’s," Evert said. "Welcome to the world of men and women. I think it is a female and male issue. I agree with her."

The 67-year-old was of the opinion that Alexander Zverev should have been "out for months" instead of being allowed to play as usual with only a slap on the wrist. Evert admitted that personally, she thought the German was "very nice and very gracious," but it still didn't excuse the lenient punishment he got away with.

“I think [the ATP's punishment sentence] was too lenient. I am not here to sit back and make any judgments on Alexander Zverev as far as his behavior or him as a person," Evert said. "From what I know and my contact with him, he's always been very nice and very gracious. But that punishment or that consequence is too lenient. He should have been out for months. And that's all I'm going to say about it.”

Alexander Zverev kicks off Indian Wells campaign against Tommy Paul

Alexander Zverev takes on Tommy Paul in the second round of the 2022 Indian Wells Masters

With no suspension incoming, it is business as usual for Alexander Zverev, who has landed in California for the 2022 Indian Wells Masters. The German, seeded third in the tournament, begins his campaign against Tommy Paul.

The American scored a straight-sets victory over qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin in his first-round encounter to set up a meeting with the World No. 3. Zverev trailing their head-to-head 1-0 in favor of Paul, having lost their meeting at the 2020 Mexican Open in straight sets.