Alexander Zverev was the target of a dramatic protest after the Australian Open final, as a spectator screamed out the names of two women who have accused the world No2 of domestic violence. Zverev lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner and, as he approached the microphone to begin his runners-up speech, a woman yelled into the silence: 'Australia believes Olya and Brenda! Australia believes Olya and Brenda!'.
![[A woman allegedly shouted 'Australia believes Olya and Brenda!' in relation to Zverev's former partners Olya Sharypova (right) and Brenda Patea (left) who made allegations of domestic abuse against the tennis star. He denies the allegations]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/21/94529537-14327669-Brenda_Patea_is_the_mother_of_Zverev_s_child-a-2_1737926110158.jpg)
The 27-year-old German waited for the commotion to die down - the woman was removed by security - and made no reference to the protest in his speech. In 2020 Olya Sharypova, a former girlfriend of Zverev, posted on Instagram accusing him of assaulting her multiple times, allegations she expanded upon in interviews.
![[A spectator appeared to heckle Zverev during the men’s singles final after the match had concluded]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/21/94531893-14327669-A_spectator_appeared_to_heckle_Zverev_during_the_men_s_singles_f-a-5_1737926111101.jpg)
Sharypova did not go to the police but the ATP instituted a 15-month, independent investigation. In 2023 it was announced that Zverev would face no punishment as there was insufficient evidence to support Sharypova's claims. 'From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence and denied the baseless allegations made against me,' Zverev said in a statement at the time.
![[The spectator appeared to also speak with a steward inside the Rod Laver Arena after heckling Zverev]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/21/94531895-14327669-The_spectator_appeared_to_also_speak_with_a_steward_inside_the_R-a-4_1737926110513.jpg)
Just as Zverev is about to speak at the trophy ceremony, a woman repeatedly shouts:“Australia Believes Olya and Brenda! Australia Believes Olya and Brenda!”Broke through the silence.#AusOpen. Alexander Zverev was heckled by a protestor at the Australian Open men's singles final.
