The ATP has said they expect ‘all members of the Tour’ to condemn any form of violence and abuse after one of their star players have been accused of domestic violence.
The former girlfriend of world No.7 Alexander Zverev, Olga Sharypova, has claimed she suffered physical abuse during their relationship with her being punched in the face. In an interview with The Racquet magazine, Sharypova says she attempted suicide due to the abuse she suffered. On one occasion during the 2019 US Open, it is claimed that Zverev placed a pillow over the face of his former partner during an argument they had in their hotel room.
“The ATP fully condemns any form of violence or abuse. We expect all members of the Tour to do the same, and to refrain from any conduct that is violent, abusive, or puts others at risk,” a statement from the ATP reads.
“In circumstances where allegations of violence or abuse are made against any member of the Tour, legal authorities investigate and due process is applied, we then review the outcome and decide the appropriate course of action. Otherwise , we are unable to comment further on specific allegations.”
23-year-old Zverev has repeatedly denied the allegations throughout by branding them as untrue. They came to light during the same week it was confirmed that another former partner of his is pregnant with his child. Speaking to reporters on Media day at the ATP Finals on Friday, Zverev says that he ‘regrets’ that the focus has been taken away from the sport.
‘I am looking forward to playing, but the last few days the focus has shifted a little bit to the off court,’ said Zverev. ‘While I very much regret that those allegations have been made, I have to stick to my initial thing of them being untrue and continue to deny them.
‘These accusations are just unfounded, untrue. We had our ups and downs, but the way our relationship was described in the public is not how it was. That’s not who I am, not how I was raised by my parents.
‘It makes me sad the impact that such accusations can have on the sport, on the outside world, on myself as well.
‘I truly apologise that the focus has shifted away from the sport. We all love playing tennis, that is all we are here to focus on.’
It is unclear as to if there will be any more revelations from Sharypova over the coming days. Although her interview with Racquet concluded with a brief overview of her ‘escaping’ Zverev for the final time in China without any further information being provided.
At the ATP Finals Zverev has been drawn in Group Tokyo 1970 along with Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Diego Schwartzman. He will start his campaign on Monday evening against Medvedev.
Zverev won the season-ending championships back in 2018 and it remains the biggest title of his career to date.