Alexander Zverev’s runner-up speech at the 2025 Australian Open was shockingly interrupted by a tennis fan. The screaming spectator reportedly brought up the domestic abuse allegations made against the German by his former partners.
Zverev suffered his third consecutive loss in a Grand Slam final at the Melbourne Major, following his US Open 2020 and French Open 2024 defeats. The second seed was beaten in straight sets by defending champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in two hours and 45 minutes. With the 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory, Sinner clinched his third Grand Slam title in as many finals contested.
As Alexander Zverev proceeded to make his runner-up speech, he was interrupted by a screaming spectator. According to journalist Ben Rothenberg, who was in the stands during the ceremony, the fan brought up the abuse allegations made against the German by his former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, and his daughter’s mother, Brenda Patea.
"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," Rothenberg wrote on X.
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A look at domestic abuse accusations against Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev was accused of physical harm by his former partner of almost one year, Sharypova, in an interview with Ben Rothenberg in 2020. A year later, the ATP launched an independent investigation. However, no disciplinary action was taken against the World No. 2 as the investigators found “insufficient evidence to substantiate published allegations of abuse.”
Meanwhile, in 2023, Zverev’s other former girlfriend, Brend Patea, who is also his daughter Mayla’s mother, accused him of “bodily harm” in regard to an incident from 2020. The Berlin public prosecutor’s office issued a penal order against the tennis player alongside a fine amounting to €450,000.
Zverev appealed the decision, with the trial reaching its conclusion in June 2024. Patea was no longer interested in pursuing the prosecution, and both parties reached an out-of-court settlement with their daughter’s welfare at heart.
"Alexander Zverev agreed to this dismissal through his defense attorney solely to shorten the proceedings - above all in the interest of their child. Alexander Zverev is still considered innocent. The dismissal does not constitute a finding of guilt or an admission of guilt. The legal presumption of innocence remains unaffected," Zverev’s lawyers wrote in a press release.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist was reportedly handed a €200,000 fine following the settlement.