Fellow players take no-comment stance as news of Zverev facing trial surfaces amid Australian Open
Zverev will face trial in Germany in May on charges of physical abuse brought up by his ex-girlfriend
Alexander Zverev at the 2023 Rolex Paris Masters
Image Credit: Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
The talk around the Australian Open for the first couple of days has been pretty much focused on action on the court. World No 1 Novak Djokovic was stretched to four sets by a young Croatian in the first round. A trio of 16-year-olds advanced to the second round of the tournament and a number of former stars – Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu – made their return to Melbourne.
Some of that spotlight shifted on Tuesday night when news surfaced from Germany that men’s sixth seed Alexander Zverev would face a trial in May over allegations that he physically abused his ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child; charges that Zverev has repeatedly denied.
In October 2023, the German, who had also been previously accused of domestic violence by another ex-girlfriend, was given a penalty order by a German court and fined €450,000 ($492,700). In Germany, a judge can issue a penalty order if s/he believes the case is straightforward and a trial is not required. The accused can appeal the penalty order if s/he maintains their innocence which would then lead the matter to trial.
The latest developments came up in the Melbourne Park press room on Wednesday with several players being asked about their thoughts on the issue where all, barring women’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek, took a no-comments stance.
For sure it’s not good when a player who’s facing charges like that is kind of being promoted.
Swiatek, who has been a leading voice among tennis players over the Ukrainian war situation, said it was for the ATP Tour to decide if someone facing a trial should be continue playing or serving on the Players Council.
“Well, any answer that I give, I mean, there’s no good answer to that. I think it’s up to ATP what they decide. For sure it’s not good when a player who’s facing charges like that is kind of being promoted,” the Pole said after her first-round win over former champion Sofia Kenin.
“I don’t know what the result of the investigation or the case is going to be. I’m also not sure what’s the history in terms of the other cases that he had. I don’t know if he won or lost. I guess you have to ask ATP what they want to do with that because I’m not in the right position to judge.”
While Swiatek did share a few thoughts about the case, several of Zverev’s peers on the men’s tour refused to be drawn into the issue.
“I think this is a matter that I think everyone needs to sit down together and discuss all of that” – Dimitrov on Zverev continuing to serve on the ATP Player Council
Bugalria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who has also been elected to the ATP Players Council along with Zverev, had not heard of the new developments earlier.
“First (time) I hear this. I definitely won’t comment more on that, because I don’t know what the situation is. I think, in general, I always stay away from press in general. I really don’t read much. Of course there are things swirling around, of course I understand that part,” Dimitrov said.
The Bulgarian did say that the issue of Zverev continuing on the council may be something the members need to sit down together and discuss. “It’s not only up to me who is in there, right? I think this is a matter that I think everyone needs to sit down together and discuss all of that. That’s my message on that end. Of course now these things coming through, personally, I didn’t know. I’m sure if you ask all the other guys, it’s something that if it’s needed, I guess we are all going to sit down and talk about it.”
Men’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who played doubles on Tuesday, had no comment on the issue. “I will not say on that. I don’t know the situation. I’m completely unfamiliar with it. I have nothing to comment on it.”
Similar responses came from men’s 11th seed Casper Ruud and men’s19th seed Cameron Norrie.
“I haven’t had too much time to think about it, and don’t really have an opinion right now. But I’m not exactly sure how to react to it, so won’t give you a good answer. Sorry,” Ruud said after winning his first round match.
“Honestly, I don’t know too much about that. I can’t comment at all, unfortunately,” Norrie, also a first round winner on Tuesday, said.
“I don’t have a reason not to believe that” – Zverev believes he has the confidence of the players to continue on the Council
Zverev played his first round match at the Australian Open on Tuesday evening and defeated countryman Dominik Koepfer in four sets. The German was asked about the issue in his presser and insisted that he has no reason to believe that the players want him out.
“Why would it not be (appropriate to be part of the ATP Players Council)?”Zverev responded when asked about the same in his presser. I think so (that I have the confidence of the other players to continue in that role). Nobody has said anything to me. I don’t have a reason not to believe that.”
