Zverev welcomes ATP investigation into abuse allegations

October 6 (Reuters) – Alexander Zverev welcomed an ATP investigation into allegations of domestic violence against him, saying on Wednesday it was about time.

World number four Zverev’s ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova said in an interview with online magazine Slate on August 25 that the German had been emotionally and physically abusive towards her during their relationship.

ATP had come under increasing criticism for failing to examine the allegations until the men’s tennis governing body announced on Monday that it was conducting an investigation.

The Olympic gold medalist has repeatedly denied the allegations and now hopes an ATP investigation will clear his name.

“Damn (the weather) finally to be honest,” Zverev said at his press conference ahead of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. “I’ve been asking them myself for months now.

“I asked them to do it from London last year because it is very difficult for me to erase my name.

“Only with something like this can I.

“It’s been around for a year and there isn’t much more I can do to clear my name and I hope it does eventually.”

The 24-year-old “categorically and unequivocally” denied abusing Sharypova and said on August 27 that his lawyers had taken legal action against the perpetrator of the allegations.

Slate issued a statement saying she was sticking to her “fair and accurate reporting.”

“I went to court in Germany and won the case against the author and the publications that the author is currently ignoring,” Zverev said. “I have proven myself innocent in a number of ways.

“I think with this investigation finally unfolding now, I hope it can be done and dusted off by a third party and we can move on.”

Zverev said the whole affair was not just a distraction for him, but for the whole sport.

On the pitch, however, Zverev has managed to stay focused and is enjoying one of the best seasons of his young career, winning an Olympic gold medal and two Masters Series events.

“Andy Murray said it very well last week in San Diego, when the stars of the game win tennis games, they win big games, you want to talk about that,” said Zverev, who also reached the semi-finals. finals of the French and the United States open this year.

“I had one of the most amazing seasons a young man has seen in the last 10 years, probably winning the Olympics, winning two Masters Series, winning four tournaments and that’s a bit forget.

“Once this situation is over, once it’s done, we can go back to what it was.”

Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Toby Davis

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.