Zverev on the end of his procedure for domestic violence: “I told you so from the start”
Alexander Zverev answered two questions about his domestic violence trial, but on one condition: no more questions, ever.
Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
“I told you so from the beginning.” Having just qualified for the Roland-Garros final, his second Grand Slam final, Alexander Zverev released his most overwhelming smile when he was invited to comment on the end of the lawsuit filed by his former partner for domestic violence. The decision was announced on Friday morning, on the basis of an amicable agreement.
The question wasn’t exactly procedurally focused. Asked by the representative of the New York Times at Roland-Garros, it was more subtle.
“It was a big day for you, given the announcement this morning regarding your trial, which has come to an end. Could you share your impressions with us, as well as on tonight’s match where you probably played the best tennis of your life? Do you feel like you’re turning a page?”
Hearing the question, Zverev clearly understood what he was expected to do.
“I told you so from the start,” Zverev reacted with the placid ease of which he is capable. “I told everyone. I’m glad it’s over. Nothing else to say. That’s all. Four years [the trial lasted]… I’m happy [that it’s over].”
In the next question, he was asked if he regretted not giving the Berlin court the opportunity to declare him innocent.
Zverev: “I don’t want any more questions on this topic, ever”
Zverev continued: “If a trial is abandoned, it means we are innocent. If you’re guilty, they wouldn’t let you do that.
“I don’t know what translation you got. That’s it, it’s done, we move on. I don’t want to hear another question on this topic, ever. And that goes for everyone.”
The message was understood by the German press who, in the part of the press conference reserved for them, did not insist on obtaining the same comments in their native language.
The German player was accused by his ex-partner Brenda Patea of physical violence against him. More precisely, Zverev was alleged to, according to the initial accusations, have pushed his girlfriend against a wall and strangled her on the night of May 20, 2020.
Trial concluded “in the interest of their common child”
In the morning, it was announced that the trial had concluded with an amicable agreement with Brenda Patea. The couple “came to the conclusion that they wanted to resolve this conflict peacefully, also in the interests of their common child,” explained court spokeswoman Inga Wahlen.
“The legal presumption of innocence is not affected,” his lawyers emphasised in the morning. Zverev, despite his attitude at Roland-Garros, took up this rhetoric on Friday.
The other domestic violence case in which Zverev was implicated, that of Olga Sharypova, who had given her story to Slate and The Racquet, has not given rise to any trial. Not from Sharypova, who said she wanted to publish her words to help other victims. Nor from Zverev, who has not filed a defamation suit, even though he has always unreservedly brushed aside these allegations.
The day of the German player, fourth in the world and conqueror of Nadal in the first round, ended with his qualification for the Roland-Garros final after a great victory in four sets against Casper Ruud (2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2).
