Alexander Zverev and former British number 1 Laura Robson had a ‘flirty’ and ‘awkward’ interview during the ATP Finals in Turin.
Zverev, the world number 2, was speaking after beating Andrei Rublev in straight sets in his first match at the prestigious event, which is considered the biggest on the tennis calendar after the four Grand Slams.
The German was impressed with his on-court performance on Monday, but his post-match interview quickly got fans talking.
Starting off, a beaming Robson said: “You just told me you weren’t even sweating in there.”
“That’s not what I said,” Zverev replied, smiling back. ‘I gave you a handshake… let’s be clear with the spectators.
Alexander Zverev and Laura Robson had a ‘flirty’ interview during the ATP Finals in Turin
Robson, formerly the British number 1, is in a relationship with model James Yates
Zverev was speaking after his first match at the event in which he defeated Andrei Rublev
“I shook your hand, but (you said) that was too formal. Then I tried to give you two kisses on the cheek and you said, “No, you’re sweaty.”
“And I said you complain about too many things.”
“Okay, let’s stick to tennis,” Robson joked back.
The interview went on to discuss Zverev’s performance against Rublev, with Robson’s comments about the German making just nine unforced errors making him chuckle.
However, as their conversation progressed, Zverev struggled to control his composure, adding, “You’re making me nervous during this interview, so I start mumbling and don’t know what to say anymore.”
Robson burst out laughing again, before saying: “Shall we stop there if you want?”, to which Zverev replied: “We can if you want?”
The flirty nature of the conversation continued and both individuals couldn’t stop beaming.
Robson added: “But if you’re nervous we can stop there. You still have time before the next game… two days.”
The 27-year-old joked that this was ‘certainly the most awkward interview I’ve had this year’
Robson, 30, pictured with her long-term partner Yates (right), who works as a model
Zverev has been in a relationship with German actress Sophia Thomalla (right) since 2021.
Zverev concluded the interview by saying, “This is definitely the most awkward interview I’ve had this year. Okay, thanks, I appreciate it.”
The 27-year-old – who has been in a relationship with German actress Sophia Thomalla since 2021 – is back in action later on Wednesday when he takes on Casper Ruud.
Robson – who retired from tennis in 2022 due to injuries and now works regularly as a pundit – is in a long-term relationship with model James Yates.
Meanwhile, Zverev, who was accused in court documents last year of physically assaulting a woman in 2020, agreed to a settlement in the case in June. He agreed to pay Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, $217,820 (£168,679) but was found not guilty of any wrongdoing (Patea publicly identified herself as the victim in the case).
Last October, the Berlin-Tiergarten court issued an injunction and a fine of around $488,000 (£377,907) against Zverev, who has denied Patea’s claims of abuse. A month later he called the order ‘complete bulls***’.
Patea told German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung that Zverev had strangled her during an argument. Zverev has also been accused of domestic violence by Olga Sharypova, a fellow tennis player and another ex-girlfriend of his.
Sharypova made the allegations – also denied by Zverev – in 2020, accusing him of punching her in the face and suffocating her with a pillow.
The ATP investigated the claims (through an outside company) for 15 months, but ultimately did not discipline Zverev based on insufficient evidence.
After his settlement in June, Zverev said: “I told you that from the beginning, I told everyone. I’m glad it’s over. Yeah, nothing more to say.”