Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has condemned the ATP and various tennis media outlets for continuing to promote Alexander Zverev and for not mentioning the assault allegation against him.
World No. 7 Zverev is currently competing at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin, where he is attempting to make the semi-finals after winning his first group stage clash against Carlos Alcaraz and losing his second tie against Daniil Medvedev. However, many fans have stated their belief that he shouldn't be allowed to compete at all.
This comes after the 26-year-old was accused of assault by his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Brenda Patea. The German player was fined 450,000 euros but denies the allegations. This means that there will be a trial and until a final conviction Zverev is presumed innocent.
However, several tennis journalists have pointed out that there is still no need to promote Zverev and have called out the ATP and tennis media in general for pretending as though nothing had happened. One of the most vocal of these is Rothenberg, who criticized Zverev's presentation in the media by responding to Jon Wertheim after the latter asked why the abuse allegations were not a bigger story.
"Broadcasters don't talk about it, even around/during Zverev's own matches. Viewers are completely insulated from this disturbing story (now storIES), which grows in scope and detail," Rothenberg wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"And because it's not talked about on the air, Zverev is treated as a normal star on tour, promoted and celebrated like any other, even when it's deeply and easily avoidable. ie he's regularly included in the cute lil' quiz videos that are a pillar of current ATP marketing--why?" he continued.
A few days later, Rothenberg added to his thread by sharing a post from ATP Tour showing official pictures of Zverev at the ATP Finals along with a caption dubbing him "The Comeback King" and an inspirational quote from the player.
"Honestly, at this point, it’s an intentional slap in the face for the ATP to keep doing this above-and-beyond promotion when so many justifiably don’t even think Zverev should be allowed to play right now given his legal status," wrote Rothenberg. After this, the American added an explanation as to why he believed Zverev should be banned while his appeal is ongoing.
"Zverev is still in the running to win the ATP's most prestigious title this week, even after a Berlin court penalized him 450,000 for a domestic assault incident. He's appealing, but while that appeal is pending, he should be benched from tennis. Simple.
"Zverev playing on puts conscientious fans and ticketholders in an awful position. If Zverev was ~#100, this would be just as negligent by ATP (though I have to think if he were #100, he'd be out), but to have this moral rot fanned at the top of the sport is deeply malodorous," he continued.
Honestly, at this point it’s an intentional slap in the face for the ATP to keep doing this above-and-beyond promotion when so many justifiably don’t even think Zverev should be allowed to play right now given his legal status.
Class of 2023 Champions 🎓: The Comeback King 🇩🇪 #NittoATPFinals | @AlexZverev
