No decision to remove Alexander Zverev from French Open draw amid upcoming domestic abuse court trial, Director Amelie Mauresmo maintains
Alexander Zverev will remain part of the 2024 French Open for now amid his upcoming domestic abuse trial in Germany, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo clarified in a recent interview. The German is set to take on 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster opening-round clash on Monday.
Zverev was accused by ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea of domestic violence last year, and the World No. 4 was also fined by the Berlin prosecutor's office after reviewing the facts of the case. Patea also decided to take the matter to criminal court, and the trial for the same is slated to start on May 31 in Berlin.
While the 27-year-old is not expected to attend the case in person, questions have arisen about letting him play at the French Open in the middle of such an important disciplinary matter.
Speaking to The Guardian's Tumaini Carayol, Mauresmo clarified the decision to allow Alexander Zverev to keep playing at the tournament. The Frenchwoman opined that she considers the German to be innocent until the court verdict says he is not.
As far as the trial was concerned, Mauresmo prolcaimed that the tournament will not comment on the matter while it was still going on.
"So far, our policy is that, as long as the trial isn't finished and there isn't a decision, he's considered innocent and so that's why he's allowed to be part of the draw. And as far as the trial is concerned, we're not gonna comment on anything because the trial is happening so we're going to respect that," Mauresmo stated.
Alexander Zverev commented on the domestic abuse trial during his French Open pre-tournament presser
Alexander Zverev was asked about the upcoming domestic abuse court trial during his French Open pre-tournament press conference, where the German ruled out the idea that he was distracted by it.
Professing his belief in the German judicial system, Zverev, who has continuously maintained his innocence in the face of allegations, was confident that the truth will come out and free him.
"At the end of the day, I do believe in the German system. I do believe in the truth as well. I have to be certain that, you know, I do know what I did, I do know what I didn't do. That's, at the end of the day, what's going to come out, and I have to trust in that," Alexander Zverev said.
"Everything else is out of my hands. Not out of my hands, but I do believe that l'm not going to lose this procedure… There's absolutely no chance I am. So that's why I can play calmly, and I think my results have been showing it," he added.
Zverev comes into the French Open in sound form, having just won his first title of the year at the Masters 1000 Italian Open.