Explained: What Munich Open heckler shouted at Alexander Zverev about domestic abuse allegations
Alexander Zverev asked for a fan to be kicked out after he was heckled over domestic abuse allegations during a match at the Munich Open.
The incident took place during a 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-4 victory for Zverev over world No 37 Tallon Griekspoor in the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event on Friday.
The world No 3 battled back from a 3-5 deficit in the second set before ultimately prevailing after three hours and 14 minutes.
With Zverev serving at 5-5, 15-0 in the second set, a spectator shouted: “Let’s go, you f***ing wife beater” (translated from German).
In the changeover after he held serve, Zverev asked chair umpire Fergus Murphy to remove the crowd member and explained it was the second time it had happened.
“Fergus, Fergus. Please kick him out,” he said.
Asked what the issue was by Murphy, Zverev replied: “I don’t wanna repeat that. That’s the same guy who did the same thing before my second serve once.”
The 27-year-old was accused of domestic violence by his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020, and by Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, in 2023.
Zverev has repeatedly and strenuously denied both sets of allegations.
Sharypova did not press charges and the the ATP Tour did not take any action against Zverev after determining there was “insufficient evidence” following a 15-month investigation.
ATP Tour News
Alexander Zverev given honest Grand Slam prediction by Jannik Sinner’s coach
Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev’s battle for No 2 spot ahead of French Open
Patea’s allegation that Zverev physically abused her resulted in a Berlin court case that was discontinued in June 2024 after Zverev paid €200,000 in a settlement agreement.
After the case, a statement was released that read: “I can confirm that the court has terminated the proceedings with the consent of the public prosecution office.
“The defendant must pay an amount of 200,000 euros. Of this, 150,000 euros go to the state treasury, the rest goes to non-profit organisations.
“The decision is not a verdict and it does not involve a decision about guilt or innocence.
“One decisive factor for the court decision was that the witness has expressed her wish to end the trial. The defendant agreed to the termination of the case.”
Zverev was also heckled at the Australian Open
The incident in Munich is the second time this year that Zverev has been targeted by a tennis spectator over the domestic abuse allegations made against him.
After losing to Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final in January, Zverev was heckled by a spectator as he stepped up to receive his runners-up trophy.
The fan shouted: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”
In his press conference after the Australian Open final, Zverev was asked about the heckler.
“I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now,” said the German.
“Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that’s the case, good for her. I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again.”
Zverev will face Fabian Marozsan in the semi-finals in Munich as he chases his third title at the event.
READ NEXT: Richard Gasquet reveals what Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer are really like
