Alexander Zverev's domestic abuse trial to be held at least partially behind closed doors after privacy request
ATP
The Alexander Zverev case has engulfed the tennis world with his domestic abuse trial beginning on Friday and the testimony of his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea at least will be held behind closed doors with minimal reporting from the courtroom.
It is not known yet whether the rest of the case will be held behind closed doors. But this can be requested by the lawyers on both sides and granted accordingly. Zverev's defence team made this decision due to privacy. It comes after he was accused of pushing and strangling his ex-partner when the case began on Friday.
As the World No.4 competes at the French Open, he is not attending in person and given that the trial will likely last until Wimbledon is unlikely to for the duration. He was fined 450,000 euros in October for attempting to strangle Brenda Patea, the mother also of his three-year-old daughter Mayla.
The court heard from the prosecutor which was called 'unfounded' by his defence team that he allegedly pushed Patea against a wall and strangled her with both hands. She had difficulty swallowing and breathing and suffered from throat pain afterwards. His lead defence lawyer called it both 'unfounded and contradictory'. He said that the court would hear from eyewitnesses and see chat messages which in turn would give an 'objective view of the events'.
The trial was quickly adjourned on Friday with Zverev's legal team lodging a request for the trial to be held behind closed doors. According to Jonathan Crane for DW, the judge Barbara Luders made the decision that the testimony of Zverev's ex partner at least will be held behind closed doors with the public and media unable to attend. This is for privacy reasons.
Whether the rest of the trial is held in public remains to be seen. But at the very least, the opening portion with Patea's testimony will not be for public consumption. He continues his campaign tonight at the 2024 French Open facing Holger Rune in the Night Session slot while the dark cloud continues to loom.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Tennis "fans" have short memories. This is exactly who Saba always was... granted she found a 'new' persona when she began winning matches and tourneys. Off-court she's always been a racist potty-mouth. Her meanness also shines through when she thinks no one else is around. In short, the "person" you've witnessed in post-match on-court interviews is NOT who she is. As for her familiar "apologies, she can stick that routine in her racquet bags because I never believed her words nor phony "respect" for her opponents -- and I ain't buying that now.
mandoist15-11-2026 - Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.mandoist14-11-2026
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
