Moment Alexander Zverev is heckled on live TV over domestic abuse claims after Australian Open final defeat
ALEXANDER ZVEREV was heckled over domestic abuse claims live on TV at the Australian Open final.
The German ace was beaten in the final in straight sets by Italian Jannik Sinner.
Zverev, 27, was outclassed throughout the match by the world No.1 at the Rod Laver Arena.
As he prepared to speak as the runner-up in the tournament, he was heckled by a woman from the crowd.
While he was walking to the microphone, a person yelled: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda!
“Australia believes Olya and Brenda!”
The heckle was referencing the two women – Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea – who have accused him of domestic violence.
The world No.2 waited for the commotion to end as the woman was removed by security.
During his speech, he did not mention the protests of the person, but did address it later.
He said: “I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now.
“Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that’s the case, good for her.
“I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again.”
Former girlfriend Sharypova posted on Instagram in 2020 accusing Zverev of assaulting her more than once.
She did not contact the police but the ATP did hold a 15-month independent investigation.
In 2023, it was announced that Zverev would not face any punishment as there was insufficient evidence.
He released a statement at the time that read: “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.”
Last year, Zverev was taken to court by Patea on different accusations of domestic abuse.
But the court ended the case after it was settled because the witness wanted it to finish.
The court told the BBC: “The decision is not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence.
“One decisive factor for the court decision was that the witness has expressed her wish to end the trial.
“The defendant agreed to the termination of the case.”
Zverev spoke to the media after the case.
He said: “At the end of the day, I do believe in the German system. I do believe in the truth, as well. I have to be certain that, you know, I do know what I did, I do know what I didn’t do.
“That’s, at the end of the day, what’s going to come out, and I have to trust in that. You know, everything else is out of my hands.
“Not out of my hands, but I do believe that I’m not going to lose this procedure [sic]. There’s absolutely no chance I am.
“That’s why I can play calmly, and I think my results have been showing it.
“Winning [the title in] Rome [earlier in May] I think is a big title, as well, and obviously being here. And if it would be on my mind I wouldn’t be playing the way I am.’