Alexander Zverev ‘is to go on trial in May’ to face ‘abuse’ allegations after his ex-girlfriend claimed tennis star ‘choked her against a wall in a row days before proposing’ and ‘raged if she moved his cuddly toys’
- German broadcaster Deutsche Welle has reported Alexander Zverev’s court hearing
- Zverev was previously subject to an ATP investigation into other abuse claims
- His ex-girlfriend claims he ‘strangled her against a wall in a line before proposing to her’
Tennis star Alexander Zverev will reportedly go on trial in May on charges of physical abuse by his ex-girlfriend.
German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has reported that a spokesperson for the Berlin Criminal Court has indicated that a hearing will begin from May 2024.
Zverev, who continues to deny all allegations against him, is at the center of the abuse claims of his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea.
Patea has claimed the former world number 2 ‘strangled her during an argument’ and was a ‘jealous man’.
In November, Zverev received an order from a Berlin court to pay a fine of almost £400,000 for physically assaulting Brenda Patea, the mother of their child, and “damaging her health” during an argument in May 2020. He denied all charges and appealed the fine, after which a trial was initiated.
Alexander Zverev has reportedly been given a court hearing over allegations of ‘abuse’ against him
Brenda Patea (left) has described her ex-boyfriend (right) as ‘jealous’ and that this could result in ‘repeated physical violence’ against her. Zverev denies all allegations against him
A statement from his representative, Schertz Bergmann, called the penalty order “outrageous” and hinted that the player would take action “by any means necessary.”
Patea is said to have had a relationship with Zverev for less than twelve months between 2019 and the birth of their daughter Mayla in 2021.
The German model describes that a “mixture of shame, fear of Zverev’s lawyers and concern for her child” played a role in why she postponed the request for the injunction, but spoke to South German ZeitungMs. Patea said her decision to speak out stems from an effort to set an example for victims of abuse.
Ms. Patea claims that during the confrontation, Zverev “pushed her against the wall and strangled her during an argument in the hallway.”
This led to ‘pain in the throat and neck and difficulty swallowing’, which she spoke about after the incident when she confided in two friends.
It is important to take that into account South German Zeitung were forced to take down the article with Patea.
A law firm acting on Zverev’s behalf described the original story as “outside the bounds of permissible suspicious reporting.”
Zverev has been largely tight-lipped about the allegations, but described the penalty imposed on him last November as “complete bulls***,” before adding: “Anyone with a semi-standard IQ level knows what this is all about. about.’
Between 2019 and 2021, the former world number 2 and the German model were together for less than twelve months
Before their split, the couple often traveled together for Zverev’s Tour commitments (pictured in 2020)
Curiously, the French Open starts in Paris on May 26 and so it remains unclear at this stage what impact any trial would have on Zverev’s ATP Tour commitments.
The player was the subject of a 15-month investigation by the ATP, which concluded in January 2023 with the ruling that there was ‘insufficient evidence to substantiate published allegations of abuse’.
“However, this determination may be re-evaluated if new evidence comes to light, or if legal proceedings reveal violations of the ATP Rules,” their statement added.
“Zverev has consistently denied all allegations and supported ATP’s investigation.”