"In urgent need"- As Alexander Zverev's trial ends in settlement, journalist alerts ATP Tour to the need for strict domestic violence policy
Alexander Zverev has made headlines all thorugh the 2024 French Open amidst his trial over allegations of domestic abuse. Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim has raised a question regarding the provision of a domestic abuse policy on the ATP Tour.
Zverev was fined €450,000 after his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea filed charges of domestic abuse against him. The World No. 4 appealed the fine and a trial ensued in a Berlin court, which ended via an off-court settlement between the parties of the German tennis player and his ex-girlfriend. A penalty of €200,000 was levied against Zverev to settle.
Amidst the settlement news, American tennis journalist Jon Werthiem made his stance known on social media. Wertheim called for the provision of a domestic abuse policy within the ATP Tour that would mediate such controversies in the future.
"Opinions are - predictably - all over the map here. Maybe we find common ground here? This sport and the in particular are in urgent need of a clear/concise/enforceable domestic violence policy…" quoted Wertheim on X (Formerly Twitter)
"I am happy it's over"- Alexander Zverev on the end of his trial
Media scrutiny on the German player has been immense ever since the allegations of domestic abuse by his former partner Brenda Patea. After his win over Casper Ruud at the Roland Garros semis, the German expressed his relief that the legal proceeding encompassing over four years had ended.
I told you so from the start. I told everybody. I'm happy that it's over. Yeah, nothing else more to say. That's it. Four years. I'm happy about that," Alexander Zverev said after his semifinal clash.
Zverev was adamant about his innocence and claimed that the legal proceedings would not have closed if he was guilty. The German stated that he wants to move on from this phase of his life. He also explicitly stated that he would not further entertain any questions on this matter.
"That's what dropping the case is. That is innocence. They're not going to drop the case if you're guilty at the end of the day. I don't know what translations you have, but that's what it means. Done. We move on. I never ever want to hear another question about the subject again. That goes out to everybody," Zverev added
The German reached his second Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud. Here, he will play Carlos Alcaraz.