Zverev settles dispute with agent in court

After being engaged in a bitter dispute with a London-based sports management company, German tennis star Alexander Zverev has finally reached a settlement with the opposing party.

The World No.7 had sued ACE Group International and his former agent Patricio Apey and made a claim of “unlawful restraint of trade”, but ACE disputed his claim.

Judge Andrew Hochhauser was due to begin considering evidence at a High Court trial in London on Thursday, but barrister Anya Proops QC, leading Zverev’s legal team, told him a settlement had been reached.

Ms. Proops said Zverev had tried to terminate the relationship, but ACE had denied his “right to do so”, saying the contract was not in restraint of trade.

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Following the settlement, Zverev spoke with reporters outside the courtroom and indicated he had learned from the experience and hoped to help younger tennis players avoid getting caught in similar disputes with their agents.

“I’ve talked about it with Mischa for some time now, we want to help the next generation a bit,” said Zverev. “The parents of younger kids, give them advice on how to operate with management and set up management deals. Look out for themselves before managers can take advantage.

It’s an extreme sense of relief (that this dispute is over) as we have been dealing with this for two years now."

The 23-year old had entered into an agreement with ACE IN 2012, when he was 15. However, things soured between both groups which led to their separation in 2019.

“It’s nice to know that I don’t have to wake up on a Monday morning and talk to these guys (his lawyers)," added Zverev. "It has been on my mind – my lack of performance in 2019, this was a big factor in it. I’m happy to be released from that.

All the greats have to go through some issues and I hope this will move me closer to where I want to go on the court."