Washington, Mar 11 (AP) Rafael Nadal has called for tougher punishments for abuse of officials after German world no.3 Alexander Zverev avoided a ban for smashing his racquet against the umpire's chair at the Mexican Open 2022.

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the 21-time Grand Slam champion said "we need to be a positive example".Naomi Osaka Edges Past Former Top-5 Player Sloane Stephens of US at Indian Wells 2022.

Zverev, who Nadal noted as a friend of his, was given a suspended eight-week ban and $25,000 fine for the incident plus loss of prize money and rankings points, penalties that some in the game felt did not go far enough.

Nadal is 15-0 in 2022 including winning the Australian Open title, a start he described as "amazing ".