David Nalbandian was disqualified at Queens

Marin Cilic crowned the winner

Nalbandian was a set up against Marin Cilic

David Nalbandian was disqualified during the Queens final against Marin Cilic after injuring a line judge by kicking an advertising board into his shin.

The Argentinean was leading his counterpart 7-6 (7-3) 3-4 when he smashed a board in front of Andrew McDougall’s seat, causing his leg to bleed heavily.

Chair umpire Fergus Murphy disqualified Nalbandian, while ATP supervisor Tom Barnes confirmed the decision.

“I am very sorry, sometimes you get frustrated on court,” said Nalbandian.

“Sometimes I make a mistake I agree with. It’s a tough moment to end a final like that but sometimes we feel so much pressure from the ATP playing so many tournaments.

“Today I’ve made a mistake. Sometimes I agree and I do but everyone makes mistakes. I don’t feel it had to end like that - especially in a final.

“There are a lot of rules and sometimes they don’t do anything. The rule book is very big and I can tell you the ATP do a lot to the players and nothing happens.”

Tournament official Chris Kermode added: “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.”