Alexander Zverev speech interrupted as heckler draws attention to abuse allegations | Tennis | Sport

Alexander Zverev‘s runner-up speech at the Australian Open was interrupted as one spectator drew attention to the allegations of abuse made against the world No. 2. Zverev has denied the accusations.

The German suffered defeat in Sunday’s final as defending champion Jannik Sinner won 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3.

As Zverev stepped up to the microphone to address the crowd, a fan shouted: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”

Zverev has faced accusations of domestic abuse from two ex-girlfriends. Olya Sharypova detailed her allegations in an interview with journalist Ben Rothenberg. These were published in Racquet magazine in 2020 and in Slate in 2021.

The world No. 2 has continued to deny these allegations. Sharypova did not take Zverev to court. The ATP launched an investigation into Sharypova’s claims but found “insufficient evidence” to substantiate them. Zverev did not face disciplinary action from the men’s tour.

“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,” Zverev said when the investigation concluded in 2023.

In October 2023, Zverev was issued a penalty order and fined £380,000 (€450,000) by a German court after being accused of physically assaulting another ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child.

Zverev denied the allegations and lodged an objection against the order. This meant the case went to court. The trial started last May, while the German was competing in the French Open.

The court heard that Zverev allegedly pushed his ex-girlfriend against a wall and strangled her with both hands “after a heated argument”. One of Zverev’s lawyers, Alfred Dierlamm, rejected the allegations as “unfounded and contradictory”.

The domestic abuse allegations were discontinued when Zverev and the ex-girlfriend, whom he shares a child with, agreed to end proceedings days into the trial.

At the time, the Tiergarten District Court in Berlin said: “There has been a settlement between the defendant and the complainant. This settlement is not part of this trial though and the court is not part of this settlement.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Zverev paid £169k (€200k) with €150k going to the German state treasury and €50k to non-profit organisations.

His legal team said: “Alexander Zverev agreed to this settlement to put a quick end to the proceedings – above all in the interest of their child. The settlement includes no determination or admission of guilt. The presumption of innocence remains.”

The tennis player’s lawyers also said the penalty order issued in October is “therefore now groundless”.

Following the interruption in Sunday’s Australian Open trophy ceremony, Zverev said: “Wow”. Others in the stands jeered and whistled.

The second seed waited before the noise died down to speak and congraulated his opponent, also thanking his own team, the tournament staff and the fans. “Congratulations to Jannik, you more than deserve it, you’re the best player in the world by far,” he said.