Alexander Zverev denies swearing in Russian with explosive outburst at umpire

Alexander Zverev argued with the umpire after receiving a warning for an audible obscenity when he swore in Russian during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal. The third seed was serving for the second set and hit a double fault, swearing in frustration before having an outburst when he was given the warning.

Zverev was serving to level the match at one-set all following a rollercoaster second set that saw both men break each other's serve six times leading up to the German's 5-3 lead. But he started the game poorly, hitting his sixth double fault of the match, and swore in Russian as he showed his frustration.

Chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein immediately gave the third seed a warning for audible obscenity, understanding the word which is often seen as the equivalent to f***ing s***, b**** or w**** in England. It prompted an outburst from the 25-year-old who insisted that wasn't the word he said, despite a television replay showing him shouting it clearly.

"I didn't say nothing bad," Zverev pleaded. "No. I didn't say that word. I did not say that word. I did not say that bad word," he continued, trying to reason with the umpire.

JUST IN: Murray impresses before Wimbledon as he reaches Surbiton Trophy semis

The 19-time title winner continued denying his use of the word and claimed the warning was unfair as he carried on. "Why are you giving me a warning? I did not say that bad word," he argued, pointing at the umpire. "You cannot give me a warning for that. This is not right."

Zverev is currently on probation for deliberately hitting an umpire's chair following his doubles loss at the Acapulco ATP 500 in February, and could be suspended if he repeats a similar offence within 12 months of the incident.