Alexander Zverev allegations explained: Tennis star to play French Open amid domestic violence trial

Alexander Zverev will begin his 2024 French Open campaign with a first-round blockbuster against 14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal.

Although the quality of the match is already attracting a lot of attention, the focus will also be on Zverev's upcoming trial over allegations of domestic violence.

A day before his first-round match at this year's Australian Open, a German district court announced that the German star would face a public trial to answer charges of physical violence against his former partner.

Zverev denies the allegations, but a hearing will begin in Berlin at the end of May.

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Timeline of Alexander Zverev's domestic violence allegations

In October 2020, Zverev was accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, Olga Sharypova. He denied the allegations on Instagram, saying his “unfounded allegations” were “simply not true.”

Sharypova then conducted two interviews with journalist Ben Rothenberg, published in November 2020 and August 2021, respectively.

The alleged assaults included Zverev punching her in the face, covering her face with a pillow until she had difficulty breathing and pushing her against a wall.

In October 2021, the ATP – the governing body of men's tennis – announced an investigation into these allegations, to which Zverev again denied any wrongdoing.

This ATP investigation took place over 15 months before being closed in January 2023. Zverev was not sanctioned, the body citing insufficient evidence.

Zverev later released a statement maintaining his innocence and welcoming the ATP's findings.

Further allegations against Zverev of domestic violence against another ex-partner emerged in 2023, with the 26-year-old ordered by a Berlin court in November to pay a fine of €450,000.

Former partner Brenda Patea claimed in an interview with a German newspaper that she was pushed against a wall and suffocated in May 2020.

Zverev has denied the accusations and filed an objection to the sanction order, which under German law means a public trial must take place.

In a statement issued when the sanction order was issued, Zverev's lawyers said the evidence had been dismissed as “incomprehensible and contradictory” by a medical report.

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Will Alexander Zverev have to attend his trial at Roland Garros?

Zverev's next hearing will begin on May 31, which overlaps with the 2024 French Open.

The tournament started on May 26 and will continue until June 9.

However, he will not be required to appear in person at the trial.

Indeed, the ATP Tour regulations do not contain a policy regarding player sanctions in the event of accusations of domestic violence.

According to The Athletic, the tour's rules allow for a provisional suspension if a player is accused of a civil or criminal offense “contrary to the integrity of the game of tennis”, although this policy has not been implemented.

Once the case is opened, the court will sit on June 7, 11, 18 and 21, before three further hearings on July 5, 12 and 19.

These dates pave the way for another potential clash with a second major Grand Slam tournament: Wimbledon will take place July 1-14. Like the French Open, there is currently no requirement to attend in person.

Other dates may be added to the trial if further review of the evidence is necessary.

Alexander Zverev asked about ATP Players Council position

Zverev was announced as a new member of the ATP Player Advisory Council in early 2024. He was elected by his tour peers, alongside nine other members.

The council's primary responsibility is to make recommendations to tour management and the ATP Board of Directors.

His position on the board as he faces allegations of domestic violence has been questioned by journalists at the Australian Open.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Zverev said when asked if it was appropriate to be part of the player advisory council.

“No one told me anything. I have no reason not to believe them.”