Alexander Zverev says “there isn’t” a question about his character or his role on the ATP players council despite being slated to appear in court on allegations of assault.
Zverev has been “accused of physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin over three years ago, with news of the hearing surfacing before the sixth seed’s opening round win over Dominik Koepfer.
The former world number two was ordered to pay fines of $450,000 euro ($A750,000) over the alleged assault in October, but has contested it and sent it to trial.
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Zverev has denied the allegations – made by former partner Brenda Patea in 2020 – since being questioned about them.
The case is slated to take place on May 31 this year.
Controversy ensued earlier this month when Zverev was elected by his peers to the Player Advisory Council of the ATP.
Several high-ranked players refused to comment at length on Zverev’s pending case and spot on the council when asked on Tuesday.
Zverev answered questions on the matter briefly after his first round win.
TRANSCRIPT
Q. Can I ask about the trial in Germany? Do you think it’s appropriate to continue on the ATP players council while that case is underway?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Why would it not be?
Q. Well, there’s obviously a question mark about your judgment, and the court will decide.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: There isn’t.
Q. You have the confidence of your fellow players to continue in that role?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think so. Nobody has said anything to me. I don’t have a reason not to believe that.
Q. There are some people around saying you shouldn’t be playing at all, let alone be in a leadership position. What are your thoughts about that?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Like who? Journalists are saying that, some, who are actually interested more in this story to write about and more about the clicks than the actual truth.
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