Alexander Zverev will not face disciplinary action following an ATP investigation. Zverev’s ex-girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, accused him of domestic abuse allegations, and the ATP found insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims..
The ATP commissioned a private investigation company, Lake Forest Group, to look into the allegations. He conducted extensive interviews with Sharypova, Zverev and 24 other people, including family, friends and players..
The investigation lasted 15 months and reviewed different materials, including «voluntarily extracted from Zverev’s electronic devices through an external forensic expert.» Sharypova accused Zverev of violence and emotional abuse during their relationship in 2020.
The German denied everything and took legal action against his ex-girlfriend in 2021. Alexander also backed calls for the ATP to introduce a domestic violence policy. Zverev is a two-time ATP Finals champion and a Major finalist.
It became the world no. 2 in the world last year, looking good to take the ATP throne sometime in 2022. Instead, he experienced a serious ankle injury against Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semi-final. Zverev and Nadal battled for more than three hours, with the second set still on the line when the German injured his leg and left the court in tears.
Alexander underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season, hoping for a fresh start in 2023.
The ATP will not take disciplinary action against Alexander Zverev.
As it turned out, he will need more time to return to 100%, struggling in the first games and playing miles below his best level.
Alexander took just 11 games in four sets at the United Cup, losing in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka and Taylor Fritz. The German barely edged past world no. 103 Juan Pablo Varillas in the first round of the Australian Open, prevailing in five sets and scoring his first victory in more than seven months.
Zverev faced Michael Mmoh in the second round and experienced a 6-7, 7-4, 6-3, 6-2 loss, losing ground after the first set and hitting the starting gate. «The seriousness and complexity of these allegations required an extensive investigative process and considerable resources.
It also required us to use specialist investigators, which was new terrain for the ATP. The exhaustive process was ultimately necessary to arrive at an informed judgment. It has also shown the need for us to be more responsive to safeguarding.
That is why we have taken steps in that direction, with a lot of important work still ahead,» said ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli.
