Alexander Zverev assault trial to get underway in Berlin while German tennis star competes in French Open

A Berlin court will start hearing an appeal by Alexander Zverev against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, with the German tennis star currently competing in the French Open.

World No 4 Zverev had been slapped with a €450,000 ($487,000) fine in October last year, but has decided to appeal the ruling.

The 27-year-old, however, had earlier indicated he would be skipping the opening of the proceedings in the German capital, which takes place midway through the clay-court Grand Slam.

“I believe in the German system,” Zverev, who has not been order to appear in person at the Berlin court, told reporters recently.

The alleged victim, however, has been invited to give testimony at the start of the trial, which will last through mid-July.

Zverev is accused of having “briefly choked his then-partner with both hands during an argument” in Berlin in May 2020, according to the court.

The alleged victim is said to have had “difficulty breathing and significant pain” as a result, the court said.

Court clash

Earlier this week,
Zverev defeated Rafael Nadal
in the first round of the French Open in what may likely have been the last time the tennis legend played at the tournament that he has dominated over the years.

On Thursday, Zverev advanced to the last 32 by
seeping aside Belgian David Goffin
in the second round.

The German is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title and has been in good form during this year’s clay court season, winning the Italian Open in Rome earlier this month.

But Zverev’s legal troubles have threatened to overshadow his title tilt, with reporters quizzing him over his upcoming court date.

“I believe in the German system. I do believe in the truth, as well. 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,” the tennis player told reporters last week.

“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.”

The court has not named the woman, who is a co-plaintiff in the case, but Zverev’s defence had named her in October as Brenda Patea.

In January 2023, the ATP, which runs the men’s tennis tour, closed an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse against Zverev involving a female tennis player after finding insufficient evidence.

The ATP had opened the probe into Zverev in October 2021 following allegations made by his former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova.

With AFP inputs