Alexander Zverev news: German slams Brazilian crowd for ‘crossing the line’ with abuse towards family

Davis Cup
Alexander Zverev speaks to the media

Alexander Zverev has condemned spectators for abusing his family and loved ones during Germany’s Davis Cup clash against Brazil.

The world No 3 was part of the German team that defeated their hosts 3-1 at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend with Zverev winning both of his singles rubbers.

However, the 24-year-old was heckled by fans in the stands during his clash against Thiago Monteiro on Sunday, much to his dismay.

“When it gets towards your family members, or when it gets towards somebody that you love, this is where I draw the line of respect,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“Today that line was crossed. And [it happened] during basically every single game that we played.”

The German has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent years both on and off the court as his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova has accused him of domestic violence, but the former US Open runner-up has denied the allegations.

On court he was kicked out of the Mexican Open a fortnight ago after he launched an expletive-laden rant against the chair umpire and also smashed his racket into the official’s chair.

He was hit with a heavy fine, but was allowed to continue playing despite calls from Mats Wilander for him to be suspended.

“To me, money does not do it, and I think you either give someone with that behaviour a three-month suspension or a six-month suspension,” Wilander said.

Alexander Zverev

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