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Alexander Zverev in January at the Australian Open in Melbourne
Photo:
IMAGO/Juergen Hasenkopf / IMAGO/Hasenkopf
The men's tennis organization ATP has closed the investigation against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev because of allegations of violence.
There was insufficient evidence for the allegations made by an ex-girlfriend, an ATP statement said.
Zverev therefore no longer has to fear a penalty.
Zverev's then-girlfriend Olga Sharipova had accused Zverev, who is now 25, of domestic violence and detailed the allegations in two long media reports.
The first publication appeared in November 2020 in the tennis magazine »Racquet«, the second in August 2021 on the internet platform »slate.com«.
Zverev had rejected the allegations.
The German number one welcomed the opening of the ATP investigation, as this was the only way to prove his innocence.
»Material provided voluntarily«
Sharipova accused Zverev of being violent towards her during the ATP Masters in Shanghai in 2019.
In addition to Sharipova and Zverev, an independent investigative agency also interviewed family members and some tennis players and also investigated other incidents cited by Sharipova.
According to ATP, Zverev supported the investigation after the start of the investigation and "voluntarily provided material from electronic devices".
Based on the investigation report, the organization came to the conclusion that no ATP rules had been broken.
Sharipova has not yet lodged a complaint with the police.
The ATP said it wanted to learn from the investigation, which showed "that we need to be more responsive on security issues," as Managing Director Massimo Calvelli is quoted as saying.
However, due to the “seriousness and complexity of the allegations”, the months-long process was necessary “in order to reach a well-founded judgement”.
The ATP reserves the right to "reassess the case if new evidence comes to light," the statement said.
Zverev is in action for Germany in the Davis Cup against Switzerland this week.
ngo/dpa/sid
