Alexander Zverev heckled over domestic abuse allegations after Australian Open final loss
Alexander Zverev heckled over domestic abuse allegations after Australian Open final loss
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The runner-up was delayed by a spectator shouting ‘Australia believes Olya and Brenda’ in reference to domestic abuse allegations denied by Zverev. Alexander Zverev was heckled over domestic abuse allegations as he prepared to give his runners-up speech after losing the Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner.
![[Zverev’s speech was interrupted]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/26/15/GettyImages-2196003755-%281%29.jpg)
The German, 27, lost in straight-sets to World No 1 Sinner and remains without a major after a third grand slam final defeat. He was in tears at the end of the 6-3 7-6 6-3 loss to Sinner and as he stepped up to receive his runners-up trophy a spectator from the crowd yelled: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”.
Zverev was forced to pause his speech as the spectator repeatedly shouted towards him, before the fan was ejected from the Rod Laver Arena. The World No 2 has faced domestic abuse allegations from two former partners in recent years. Zverev has repeatedly denied the allegations.
In June last year, Zverev’s lawyers said he had agreed to a settlement after the mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of physical abuse, with a German court closing the case. In January 2023, the ATP closed an investigation into domestic abuse allegations made by another ex-girlfriend, Olya Sharypova. The ATP cited insufficient evidence as they closed the investigation.
Zverev was asked about the heckler in his post-match press conference. "I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now,” he said. "I think I’ve done everything I can and I’m not about to open that subject again.".
