Australian Open
Zverev: Process without influence on performances in Melbourne
After a bitter end in Melbourne: Alexander Zverev didn’t feel distracted. International media had made the upcoming trial a topic before the semi-finals. photo
© James Ross/AAP/dpa
After the bitter end at the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev is flying back to Europe. The Davis Cup is waiting there. And an unpleasant topic in summer.
The discussions surrounding his trial for alleged bodily harm, which was due to take place in Berlin at the end of May, were loud Alexander Zverev had no influence on his performances at the Australian Open. He didn’t feel distracted by it, said Zverev after his bitter semi-final exit in Melbourne against Russian Daniil Medvedev. “Because I’ve said it before: Anyone who has a reasonably high IQ understands what it’s about,” said Zverev.
At the beginning of the Australian Open it was announced that the trial against the Olympic tennis champion would begin on May 31st at the Tiergarten district court. The background is a penalty order that the district court imposed on the 26-year-old in October 2023. Accordingly, Zverev should pay a fine of 450,000 euros (90 daily rates of 5,000 euros each) for bodily harm. However, Zverev rejects the accusation and has lodged an objection. That’s why the trial is now taking place.
According to the court spokeswoman, eight days of negotiations are initially planned until July 19th. This means that the process takes place during the French Open and Wimbledon and in one of the most important phases of the tennis season. Zverev himself does not have to appear in court. He is accused of physically abusing a woman during an argument in Berlin in May 2020. The alleged injured party appears as a co-plaintiff in the proceedings. Zverev is presumed innocent until he is legally convicted.
International media had made the upcoming trial before the semi-final against Medvedev an issue. The broadcaster ESPN, among others, published a question and answer on its homepage. At the beginning of the tournament, other players were also asked whether Zverev could keep his place on the Players Council despite the allegations. Zverev’s colleagues held back from making statements.