Alexander Zverev to face trial for allegedly assaulting ex-girlfriend

Alexander Zverev will face a trial for domestic abuse allegations during this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.

In November, the German No 1 was given a penalty order and fined €450,000 over accusations he physically abused his ex-girlfriend. Penalty orders are issued in Germany when a judge believes a ruling can be made without going to trial. Zverev has consistently denied all allegations and said he intended to appeal that decision.

On Monday, German media reported that Zverev will face a public trial in Berlin later this year. According to the BBC, Zverev will not be required to attend court but the hearing will start on May 31 and run on eight days through to July 19. The trial dates coincide with both Roland Garros – which he was a semi-finalist at last year – and Wimbledon.

Reigning Olympic champion Zverev has been followed by allegations of domestic violence since 2020.

Last January, the ATP cleared Zverev, 26, of domestic abuse allegations after a 15-month independent investigation. The men’s tour said it found “insufficient evidence to substantiate” the claims made by his ex-girlfriend, Olga Sharypova, who accused Zverev of physically abusing her at the 2019 ATP Masters event in Shanghai.

Zverev denied all claims levelled against him and continued to play on tour throughout the ATP’s investigation.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Zverev had been elected by his peers to the ATP Player Council.

Asked on Tuesday whether it was appropriate for him to serve on the ATP Player Council considering the news of his trial, a number of players declined to comment.

World No 1 Iga Swiatek said it was the ATP’s responsibility to make a decision: “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.

“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 ‘cause I’m not in the right position to judge.”

The ATP said: “We are aware of the upcoming legal trial involving Alexander Zverev, and will not be commenting until that process is complete.”

On Tuesday, Zverev begins his Australian Open campaign as the sixth seed against compatriot Dominic Koepfer.