As French Open continues, Alexander Zverev's domestic abuse trial begins with dark cloud hanging

Alexander Zverev won't play again until Saturday at the French Open when he takes on Tallon Griekspoor, but it will be a different kind of court albeit one he won't attend as his domestic abuse trial begins on Friday.

A Berlin court will on Friday start to hear an appeal from Zverev for a penalty order issued for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea. He is currently playing at Roland Garros and the trial is expected to last until at least Wimbledon so the likelihood is he won't attend any of the court dates.

The World No.4 was issued a 450,000 euro fine in October. But he has appealed the ruling. The 27-year-old indicated last week that he would skip the opening of the proceedings. "I believe in the German system. do believe in the truth, as well. I do know what I did, I do know what I didn't do. That's, at the end of the day, what's going to come out, and I have to trust in that. " he told reporters in a simple answer last week. He has constantly maintained his innocence.

"I do believe that I'm not going to lose this procedure. There's absolutely no chance I am. That's why I can play calmly."

Throughout the trial build-up, a lot of conjecture has been apparent about whether he should be playing at all. Some have called on the ATP to enact a domestic abuse policy to ban players until it is resolved. A policy which would've seen Zverev not play. In particular, it was heightened during his win over Rafael Nadal. A cacophony of people feeling unease about the situation as well as it being the Spaniard only added fuel to the fire.

Not ordered to appear personally in Berlin, the alleged victim has been invited to give testimony at the start of the trial with a mid-July end date. Zverev is accused of briefly choking Patea who is the mother of his child and that she has difficulty breathing and is in significant pain as a result.

The ATP previously investigated Zverev with no further action needed due to allegations by another ex-girlfriend, Olya Sharypova for domestic abuse also. He continues to play at the French Open, but a dark cloud remains.