Everything you need to know about Alexander Zverev’s domestic abuse charges
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Trigger Warning: This story mentions domestic abuse
Men’s tennis player Alexander Zverev is set to face 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in Round 1 of Roland Garros on Monday.
Nadal has said that he expects to retire from the sport after the 2024 season, making fans worldwide hopeful he will end his French Open career with a victory. But first, he must defeat Zverev, fresh off his title victory in Rome.
But further than the match with Nadal, Zverev has all eyes on him for another reason this upcoming week. May 31st is the date of his trial for domestic abuse charges.
Here's everything you need to know about the court case.
What are the allegations?
Brenda Patea and Zverev (Getty Images)
Zverev's former partner and mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of "physically abusing and damaging her health during an argument in Berlin in May 2020." She claims that he pushed her into a wall and choked her. Patea also described Zverev's violent and jealous behavior throughout their relationship, such as his explosive outbursts and constantly going through her phone.
In October 2023, a German criminal court issued a € 450,000 fine and a penalty order. Zverev challenged this order, so legally, he remains innocent until the trial's verdict.
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Patea isn't the only woman who has accused Zverev of domestic abuse. His former partner and former tennis player, Olya Sharypova, also came forward in 2021, detailing her experiences in a series of interviews. Her stories line up with Patea's account as she claims she experienced being grabbed by the throat, punched repeatedly, and was close to being suffocated with a pillow. Sharypova has harrowing pictures of visible bruises, which she sent to her friend via WhatsApp. Her fears for her life were so dire that she attempted suicide by injecting insulin into her body.
Sharypova came forward not to press charges herself but to assist other victims. The ATP conducted a 15-month investigation and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations.
Has Zverev responded?
He has firmly denied the allegations and referred to the penalty order as "complete bulls---."
“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 organization’s time and attention in this matter.”
In an interview with Rome Press, he adamantly said that the case isn't impacting his tennis at all. He firmly believes in the German justice system and in his innocence.
“I do believe that I’m not going to lose this procedure… There’s absolutely no chance I am. That’s why I can play calmly, and I think my results have been showing it.”
Zverev was featured extensively in the new season of the Netflix behind-the-scenes series Break Point. However, the allegations he is facing were not mentioned in any of the episodes.
Is he expected to attend the trial?
Corinne Dubreuil / FFT
Zverev is not required to be present during the trial, but his presence could be requested at some point during the trial.
Eight non-consecutive days are scheduled for the trial, the first being May 31st, the first week of the French Open. The dates run into July, overlapping with Wimbledon, and the trial could also last longer than anticipated.
If found guilty under German law, a sentence ranges from a fine to five years in prison. Zverev will likely have to pay the € 450,000 fine issued in October as a consequence.