Alexander Zverev ends interview after domestic abuse question: “This is not that kind of interview”

Alexander Zverev ended a post-match interview with French newspaper L’Équipe after being repeatedly questioned about domestic abuse allegations linked to previous years. The exchange took place shortly after his Roland Garros title win, where the German secured his first Grand Slam crown after reaching his fourth major final, defeating Flavio Cobolli in a five-set final.

The interaction shifted away from tennis almost immediately after questions turned to how his victory was being framed in relation to past allegations of domestic violence. Zverev had initially spoken about his performance in Paris and the atmosphere inside Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he said he felt strong support from the crowd during the closing stages of his victory.

As the line of questioning moved toward off-court issues, Zverev reacted quickly and directly challenged the framing of the interview. “This is not that kind of interview,” he said, interrupting the question before it was completed. The response marked a clear break in tone, with the player signalling discomfort with the subject being introduced in that context.

The exchange continued despite that intervention, with Zverev later insisting the topic had already been raised earlier in the interview. “It’s the second time you ask me about this,” he said, before adding, “I have done everything I could and my innocence has been proven,” as he moved to end the discussion.

The exchange occurred during standard media obligations following Zverev’s Roland Garros victory, where he converted his fourth Grand Slam final appearance into a first major title. He defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in a physically demanding five-set match, sealing a long-anticipated breakthrough at the highest level of the sport.

Early questions in the interview focused on his on-court performance and the level of crowd support he experienced throughout the tournament. Zverev described a strong connection with the Paris crowd, particularly during the later stages of his matches, where momentum and atmosphere shifted repeatedly in his favour.

“I have been on tour for more than 13 years and I have lived many experiences. Now I control my emotions better than before. Still, it was something new for me," he said about his performance at the final. "I thought I was handling it well; I played good tennis up to the final. In the final, I did not play well. I was very, very nervous, very anxious. But in the end, I managed to control the nerves and win, which is the most important thing.”

The tone changed when questions turned to how international media had contextualised his title in relation to past domestic abuse allegations. Zverev rejected the framing and showed frustration at what he perceived as repetition of the same subject within the interview format.

The incident takes place against a broader backdrop of scrutiny around Zverev relating to domestic abuse allegations first made public in 2020. One set of claims, made by former partner Olya Sharypova, was investigated by the ATP over a 15-month period and did not result in disciplinary action due to insufficient evidence.

A separate legal case in Germany involving former partner Brenda Patea was processed through court procedures, including a penalty order issued in 2023. That case did not result in a criminal conviction and was later resolved through a settlement agreement in 2024. Zverev has consistently denied all allegations connected to both matters.

During the interview in Paris, Zverev maintained that the issue had already been addressed through legal channels and rejected continued questioning. “My innocence has been proven,” he said, before ending the exchange.