"But why?" Boris Becker responds over Alexander Zverev's prior domestic abuse allegations being unearthed in interview

Alexander Zverev stole the show at Roland Garros after lifting a maiden Grand Slam title following a five-set win over Flavio Cobolli in the final of the showpiece event. However, controversy was marred after the match when he was quizzed about his prior domestic abuse allegations. He ended the interview, and this has got Boris Becker to react on social media.

Zverev avoided the question after these events had been looming over his head for some time, tarnishing his reputation in the eyes of many fans. This was first made public in 2020 by Olga Sharypova after claims were made. An investigation by the ATP over a 15 month period provided insufficient evidence, and thus the case was dropped.

More recently, another former partner, this time Brenda Patea, took Zverev to court in 2023 in a separate legal case. In the end it was resolved through a settlement agreement in 2024. Since then, Zverev has firmly denied any wrongdoing and fended off both allegations.

He was most recently asked about this following the French Open triumph, where he offered a defiant answer. “This is not that kind of interview,” he commented before attempting to abruptly end the interview. “It’s the second time you ask me about this. I have done everything I could and my innocence has been proven.”

The incident has been reacted to by six-time Grand Slam champion Becker, who himself has been afoul of the law in the past. He responded to the interview on X in a confused manner by writing: "But why?"

Following his win over Cobolli, Becker admitted that the 29-year-old very much deserved to take home glory. He had backed his fellow countryman to break his Grand Slam drought after surprising early exits for Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic opened the door for him to pounce. He avoided any such obstacles and got over the line in triumphant fashion.

“The images speak for themselves. A lifelong dream has come true,” Becker told TNT Sports. “He can hardly believe what has just happened. He – and his entire family – have worked so long and so hard for this moment.

“If there is one player at the very top of the rankings who truly deserves this after years of hard work, of despair, of disappointment — it’s him. He has more than earned it. And to achieve all of this while living with diabetes — that should hardly be possible. It’s incredible. I’m very proud of him."

It felt like this was his best chance of getting over the line for major glory, and finally after so many attempts he was able to add the one level of silverware he had never achieved before. "He was under a great deal of pressure and, as he himself admitted, he had felt like a loser up to now. He changed that today. He has turned the page. He is a Grand Slam champion. He showed everyone what he’s capable of today. My greatest admiration. He is now part of a very special club — and it feels damn good.”

Zverev was the first ATP German player to win a Grand Slam since Becker himself achieved his final major title back in 1996 in Melbourne. Angelique Kerber won three Grand Slams between 2016 and 2018 which kept German hopes live, but after 30 years of waiting an ATP German major champion has been crowned.

“It was about time,” Becker said. “In the women’s game, we had Angie Kerber — now the right man has won. He’s been the best performer at Roland-Garros in recent years. He reached the final against [Carlos] Alcaraz — a match he could have won. Then there was that dreadful accident against [Rafael] Nadal four years ago. He was on the verge of becoming permanently unfit to compete. It took a long time for him to get back to full fitness. That he has won today — I’m wholeheartedly delighted for him.”

Zverev is the first German to win at Roland Garros in 89 years. Becker never triumphed on clay, meaning that the last German to do this was Henner Henkel back in 1937.