Tennis: Alexander Zverv breaks off interview

“We should stop”

After questions about allegations: Zverev breaks off interview

After his victory at the French Open, Alexander Zverev was confronted with unpleasant questions in a conversation. He didn’t want to delve into the topic.

Alexander Zverev ended an interview with the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” early. The trigger was questions about allegations of domestic violence that had been made against the German tennis professional in the past.

As the newspaper reports, the conversation took place during a car ride. After an inquiry about the topic, there was ultimately an “icy silence”.

At first the interview took place in a relaxed atmosphere. Zverev, who won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open over the weekend, spoke to the reporter on his way to a photo shoot. Then the conversation turned to an incident at the 2025 US Open.

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During one of Zverev’s games, a spectator shouted: “Australia believes Olga and Brenda.” This meant his former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, who had made allegations against Zverev in the past. From a legal perspective, the 29-year-old is presumed innocent in both cases.

In the Brenda Patea case, a criminal order was issued against Zverev in October 2023. A fine of 450,000 euros was envisaged. Zverev lodged an objection. An out-of-court settlement was later reached. He paid 200,000 euros, of which 150,000 euros went to the state treasury and 50,000 euros to charitable institutions.

This did not involve an admission of guilt. The trial ended without a verdict on guilt or innocence. Zverev declared the case closed at the time and maintained this stance in an interview with “L’Équipe”.

He initially answered the journalist’s questions briefly. He could remember the incident at the US Open, but did not fear a repeat in Paris.