Alexander Zverev will not face disciplinary action after an ATP investigation. Zverev’s former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, accused him of domestic abuse allegations, and ATP found insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims.
The ATP commissioned a private investigation company, the Lake Forest Group, to investigate the allegations. It conducted extensive interviews with Sharypova, Zverev and 24 other people, including family, friends and players.
The investigation lasted 15 months and reviewed different material, including the one “voluntarily extracted from Zverev’s electronic devices via a third-party 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 former 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.
He became world no. 2 last year, looking good to take the ATP throne at some point in 2022. Instead, he experienced a severe ankle injury versus Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semi-final. Zverev and Nadal fought for over three hours, and the second set was still on when the German injured his leg and left the court in tears.
Alexander underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season, hoping for a fresh start in 2023.
ATP will take no disciplinary action against Alexander Zverev.
As it turned out, he will need more time to get back at 100%, struggling in the opening matches and playing miles below his best.
Alexander took only 11 games in four sets at the United Cup, losing in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka and Taylor Fritz. The German barely passed world no. 103 Juan Pablo Varillas in the Australian Open first round, prevailing in five sets and scoring his first victory in over seven months.
Zverev faced Michael Mmoh in the second round and experienced a 6-7, 7-4, 6-3, 6-2 defeat, losing ground after the opener and hitting the exit door. “The seriousness and complexity of these allegations required an extensive investigative process and considerable resources.
It also required us to turn to specialist investigators, which was new ground for ATP. The exhaustive process was ultimately necessary to reach an informed judgment. It has also shown the need for us to be more responsive in safeguarding matters.
It’s why we have taken steps in that direction, with a lot of important work still ahead,” ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli said.
