The ATP has launched an internal investigation into Alexander Zverev related to accusations he mentally and physically abused his former girlfriend.
Olga Sharypova has accused the world No.4 of being physically aggressive against her and said the abuse she suffered drove her to a suicide attempt. The allegations first came to light back in 2020 during an interview which was published by Racquet Magazine. A year later Sharypova made further allegations during a follow-up interview that was published by Slate.com.
In her most recent interview, Sharypova said she was assaulted whilst getting out of the shower during her stay with Zverev at the 2019 Shanghai Masters. She told Slate that Zverev ‘attacked her more violently than ever before’ and grabbed her by the throat.
“He started to say to me these things: ‘I hope you will die, you should have died yesterday, but not in my room. If you want to die, you can take insulin and go die in the street because I don’t want problems. I don’t want to deal with you anymore,’ she said. “I’m crying. I say, ‘OK, if you want me to die, give me insulin, I go to the street, and that’s all. I can’t hear this anymore, I can’t handle anymore. What do you want from me? You want to punch me? You already did.’
In another incident, Zverev’s former partner claims she attempted suicide during the 2019 Laver Cup in Geneva. It was alleged that an official was called to help with the situation but there has never been any public confirmation or comment concerning this. During this year’s Laver Cup organisers were accused of blocking people on social media who mentioned the allegations towards Zverev on their posts.
Zverev, who has won 17 ATP titles during his career, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and accused his former partner of making false accusations. According to The New York Times, he went to court in Germany to contest the publication of the Slate article which detailed the allegations made against him.
Now the ATP is looking into one specific claim made about Zverev concerning what occurred during his time at the 2019 Shanghai Open.
“The allegations raised against Alexander Zverev are serious and we have a responsibility to address them,” ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli said in a statement.
“We hope our investigation will allow us to establish the facts and determine appropriate follow-up action. We understand Zverev welcomes our investigation and acknowledge that he has denied all allegations. We will also be monitoring any further legal developments following the preliminary injunction obtained by Zverev in the German Courts.”
The announcement by the ATP coincides with the completion of an Independent Safeguarding Report which was being conducted. Headed by Chris Smart, who is a former Detective Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police (UK), the report has set out a series of recommendations to ensure safeguarding is applied through the ATP Tour. The governing body of men’s tennis says they are now ‘evaluating’ those recommendations.
Zverev is yet to publically comment on the ATP investigation. He is allowed to continue playing on the Tour during the process and will be taking part in this week’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
