German world No.3 Alexander Zverev is currently in the middle of a battle away from the courts, as well as on it.
The 21-year-old confirmed on Wednesday that he is in a legal dispute with former manager Patricio Apey. A talent agent who previous clients includes Andy Murray. Apey is the founder of ACE Group International. A talent and event management company that played a pivotal role in the creation of The Boodles Event that takes place in the lead up to Wimbledon.
“Now, it is public. That we take my old Manager (Apey) to court. But I don’t have a new one. I will take care of everything first of all.” Jannik Schneider from Tennis Magazine quoted Zverev as saying.
No details have been provided about why the lawsuit is taking place. However, reports suggest that there has been a disagreement over how Zverev has been marketed by the company and his home country. Something that raises more questions than answers.
Apey had previously praised Zverev and his achievements on the court. So far in his career Zverev has won 10 ATP titles. Including three at Masters 1000 level and the ATP World Tour Finals in London last year. The biggest title of his career to date.
“His ability is there for all to see and he is also a wonderful athlete to work with. To have a player who is 6’6”, blonde hair, blue eyes and is an incredible talent on the court, this is certainly good for the game and the key for us is there is no rush here.” Apey said of Zverev during an interview with Tennis365 last August.
“I have worked with a lot of tennis players down the years and you can never rush them. You give them the right platform to perform and from there, you see how far they can go.”
Now without a manager, speculation has mounted that Zverev could join Team8 in the near future. A company founded by Roger Federer and his long-time agent Tony Godsick. Clients include Juan Martin del Potro.
Zverev is not the first player this week to confirm that they are engaged in a legal dispute. World No.1 Naomi Osaka is in the middle of a lawsuit with her former coach Christophe Jean. Jean, who trained Osaka during her teenage years, is claiming that he is owed $2 million based on a one-page contract he signed with Osaka’s father.
“I am still relatively new at this so I can’t really say yet,” Osaka commented about her situation.
“But maybe as more time goes on I will be able to get a better grasp of the situation,” she added.
Both players are participating in the Miami Open this week.
