EXACTLY!
In Real Sports, this is done all the time. In the NBA, subtle attempts to draw fouls is common, as is "trash talking" to incite a response which will be called as a Personal Foul.
So, basically, it is as if Materazzi said to zidane "Yo Mama so FAT, when she jump in the air she get STUCK," and zidane couldn't control himself. In my opinion, Materazzi was just playing the game. By virtue of his response, zidane has shown that he really isn't THAT much of a 'professional' after all.