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Fresh off his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev cut short an interview when asked about longstanding domestic abuse allegations. The German star did not entertain the questions and went on to end the interview in the middle.
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French Open champion Zverev abruptly ends interview after question on domestic abuse allegations
The World No. 3, who defeated Flavio Cobolli in the final to become the first German man to win the French Open in the Open Era, stood up and walked out during the post-victory discussion. He said:
“First of all, this is not that kind of interview.”
Zverev added:
“Secondly, do you know that the accusations have been proven false? This is the second time you’ve asked me about this. I did everything I could and my innocence has been proven. I think we should stop, it’s better this way.”
The question referenced allegations from former partner Brenda Patea, mother of Zverev’s child, stemming from an incident in 2020. In June 2024, the case was settled out of court in Germany. Zverev agreed to pay reportedly €200,000 to the state treasury and €50,000 to non-profit organizations, with the agreement of prosecutors and Patea.
The court explicitly stated the decision was “not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence.” Zverev has consistently denied the allegations, which also include claims from another ex-partner, Olya Sharypova. No criminal conviction has resulted from either matter.
Zverev, who has won one major out of four finals reached, is a Type 1 diabetic who has spoken openly about managing the condition while competing at the highest level, and has not issued further comments on the interview since the exchange.
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