Alexander Zverev opens up about domestic abuse accusations as court date looms

Alexander Zverev has insisted he is focused on the French Open even though his domestic abuse trial is about to get underway in his German homeland.

German world No 4 Zverev is among the favourites to win a first grand slam title at Roland Garros, despite landing Rafael Nadal in the first round.

Yet his run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open was overshadowed when a court date was set for a trial over domestic abuse allegations, which he denies, and which is scheduled to begin in a week’s time.

In November 2023, Zverev was given a penalty order and fined by a German court after being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea, with the trial relating to those accusations set to get underway on May 31.

“At the end of the day, I do believe in the German system,” said the 27-year-old, who does not have to attend the trial in Berlin.

“I do believe in the truth, as well. I have to be certain that, you know, I do know what I did, I do know what I didn’t do.

“That’s, at the end of the day, what’s going to come out, and I have to trust in that.

“You know, everything else is out of my hands. Not out of my hands, but I do believe that I’m not going to lose this procedure. There’s absolutely no chance I am.

“That’s why I can play calmly and I think my results have been showing it. Winning in Rome I think is a big title, as well, and obviously being here. And if it would be on my mind I wouldn’t be playing the way I am.”

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Zverev’s looming court case has been a major talking point in tennis in recent months, with this story rumbling on for some time after it initially broke.

Many have suggested he should have been suspended from playing tennis after it was confirmed he would face a court date, but the ATP Tour has stayed out of the issue for now after an initial investigation into separate accusations failed to result in any action being taken.

Zverev was initially accused of domestic abuse by his former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, in 2020.

An independent investigation began in October 2021 which focused on alleged abuse at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai in 2019, as well as other locations including Monaco, New York and Geneva.

However, it was unable to substantiate the allegations and as a result, no disciplinary action was taken by the ATP.

ATP chief executive Massimo Calvelli said in a statement at the time: “The seriousness and complexity of these allegations required an extremely thorough investigative process and considerable resources.

“It also required us to turn to specialist investigators, which was new ground for ATP.

“We ultimately believe the exhaustive process was necessary to reach an informed judgement.

“It has also shown the need for us to be more responsive on safeguarding matters. It is the reason we’ve taken steps in that direction, with a lot of important work still ahead.”

In a statement released after the ATP opted not pursue action in the case relating to Miss Sharypova, Zverev said: “From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence and denied the baseless allegations made against me. I welcomed and fully cooperated with the ATP’s investigation and am grateful for the organisation’s time and attention in this matter.

“This decision marks a third, neutral, third-party arbiter who has reviewed all relevant information and made a clear and informed decision on this matter in my favor. In addition to the ATP’s independent investigation, I have also initiated court proceedings in Germany and Russia, both of which I have won.

“I am grateful that this is finally resolved and my priority now is recovering from injury and concentrating on what I love most in this world — tennis.

“I want to thank my friends, family and fans for their ongoing support. We followed the long and difficult process and justice has prevailed.”

No Zverev faces more accusations and tennis will face an uncomfortable couple of weeks if Zverev enjoys a lengthy run at the French Open while the accusations against him are played out in what is certain to be a high profile court hearing.