Heading into the final Grand Slam of the season Alexander Zverev finds himself under a dark cloud after fresh allegations of domestic abuse emerged earlier this week.
Over a year ago Zverev’s former girlfriend Olga Sharypova sensationally accused the tennis star of abusing her both mentally and physically to such an extent that she considered committing suicide. In one alleged incident, she told Russian media that Zverev attempted to strangle her with a pillow and he hit her head against the wall during their stay at a New York hotel in 2019. During the same time, she told Racquet magazine injected insulin into her body in a suicide attempt.
Sharypova, who first met Zverev whilst she was playing on the junior circuit, now says that her former partner once said he wished she would die. The second part of her interview with journalist Ben Rothenberg has been posted on slate.com in which she made more serious allegations. One of which was said to have occurred during the 2019 Shanghai Masters. Whilst in China Sharypova spoke about how she was grabbed by the throat, pushed against the wall and then punched.
“When I got out of the shower, I was starting to take a towel and he came and said, ‘Pack your stuff right now and leave “I’m just like, ‘OK, can you wait a few minutes please? I’m naked here.’ She said.
“He started to punch me, and this time I understand that I can’t be dough for punching.”
Zverev has denied any wrongdoing throughout and says he never abused his former partner. In the past, he has refused to get drawn in on the subject whilst speaking to the media, however, after the latest claims emerged he issued a statement threatening legal action.
“I have engaged my German and American lawyers in the matter. They have already obtained a preliminary injunction against the source and the author who published the false allegations,” Zverev said.
“The court followed our arguments and states, the accusations aroused are defamatory and false. The lawyers have therefore initiated further proceedings against the source and the author.
“I categorically and unequivocally deny having abused Olya.”
The 24-year-old has never faced any charges related to abuse and Sharypova had previously said she doesn’t want to launch any legal action. Saying her goal is to raise awareness about domestic abuse.
Questioned by reporters on Friday during his pre-tournament press conference at the US Open, Zverev assured that the allegations had been proven untrue by a court without elaborating any further. Although it is unclear as to why such a term has been used if he and his former partner haven’t addressed this issue legally. From a legal standpoint, an injunction can be taken out but the allegations can only legally be deemed untrue if a proper investigation is launched.
“I’ve always said that the allegations and everything that has been said is untrue. The court confirmed that. So there’s nothing else to say from my side because, as I said, the court confirmed that it’s untrue,” Zverev insisted.
“We didn’t go to trial. If the court confirmed it, the court confirmed it. There’s nothing else that I can say,” he added.
Whilst maintaining he is innocent and has the court on his side, Zverev’s accuser continues to dispute his versions of events. Questioning his claims about the defamation case before going on to say she hasn’t been contacted by anybody.
“I’m not afraid of you, or your family, or your legal team, who apparently made German media stay quiet about my article, but after your statements, they wrote dozens of articles that you won a defamation case against me in court. Why am I not aware we went to court? Don’t your lawyers have my numbers?” Sharypova wrote on Instagram.
“All your successes and money won’t help you shut me down and you know it. I said the truth and you’re going to court to try and win it with a lie? Nice try to score me, but I have nothing to be afraid of.”
As for Slate, who published Sharypova’s latest article, they have hit back at legal threats from Zverev. In a statement, the company says they stand by their ‘fair and accurate reporting based on multiple sources and interviews.’
Zverev is the fourth seed at this year’s US Open where he will play Sam Querrey in the first round on Tuesday.
