Alexander Zverev has said claims made by his former partner that he hit her are ‘unfounded’ and denies any wrongdoing.
Olga Sharypova, who first met Zverev on the junior tennis circuit, told Russian website Championat that the world No.7 threatened her as she spoke out about an alleged incident that took place during the 2019 US Open. She said the tennis player tried to ‘strangle her’ during an argument they had at the hotel. Sharypova claimed that Zverev pushed her against the wall before saying ‘no one cares about her, no matter what he does.’
In a statement released on Twitter, the world No.7 said he was ‘sad’ to read media reports concerning what his ex-girlfriend has said before adding that they are ‘simply not true.’ Sharypova has gone as far as saying she would take a lie detector test to prove she is telling the truth.
“There are the unfounded accusations of my ex – girlfriend Olga Sharypova , which I read in the media today. They make me very sad,” Zverev wrote.
“We have known each other since we were children and shared many experiences together. I very much regret that she makes such statements because the accusations are simply not true.
“We had a relationship but it ended a long time ago . Why Olga is making these accusations now, I just don’t know . I really hope that the two of us will find a way to deal with each other again in a reasonable and respectful way.”
The timing of the allegations started to occur on the same day that another former partner of Zverev, Brenda Patea, told German magazine Gala she was pregnant with his child. Although Sharypova said it is just a coincidence and she hasn’t spoken out until now because she has been trying to ‘restore her nervous system after such a relationship.’
The 23-year-old has also confirmed that he is the father of Patea’s baby and have asked for privacy concerning this matter. The two were in a relationship for roughly a year.
“The last days were quite challenging for me. I will be a father at age 23 and I am very much looking forward to the child,” Zverev commented. “Even though Brenda and I are no longer together we have a good relationship and I will live up to my responsibility as a father. Together we will take care of the little person that is about to grow. But I don’t want to say more in public about this private subject. I am sure that Brenda and I can manage it without the media involved.”
Zverev is expected to return to action next week at the Paris Masters.
