Alexander Zverev gives damning reply to the woman who interrupted his Australian Open runners-up speech
Alexander Zverev had the most lopsided performance out of his Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open, not being able to win one set.
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Alexander Zverev (Image via X)
World No.2 Alexander Zverev faced heckling from a spectator during the Australian Open trophy ceremony. The incident occurred after he lost in straight sets to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. As the German stepped up to receive his runner-up trophy, someone in the crowd shouted, “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”
The remark referred to past allegations of domestic abuse against Zverev. In 2020, his ex-girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, accused him of violence and emotional abuse, which Zverev denied. Sharypova did not press charges, and after a 15-month investigation, the ATP stated there was “insufficient evidence” to support her claims.
Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment.
Alexander Zverev said in her post-match press conference
In 2023, Brenda Patea, another ex-girlfriend and the mother of Zverev’s child, accused him of physical abuse. A German court issued a penalty order against Zverev, but he challenged it, leading to a public trial.
Zverev on the woman who shouted ‘Australia believes Olya & Brenda’ before his runner up speech at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 26, 2025
“Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment.”
pic.twitter.com/gdTOtgUgHz
The trial was eventually discontinued in 2024 after a settlement was reached between Zverev and Patea. The Olympic Gold medalist has consistently denied all allegations of abuse throughout these proceedings.
Alexander Zverev tactically outsmarted by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final
Alexander Zverev struggled with his forehand in the Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner. He hit only three forehand winners while making 35 forehand errors. The World No.1 won the match 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 by consistently targeting Zverev’s weaker forehand to dominate the baseline exchanges.
Zverev’s forehand issues began during his semi-final against Novak Djokovic, where he made 19 forehand errors in just one set. The problem carried into the final, with three forehand mistakes in the opening game. Sinner capitalized on these errors, breaking Zverev early in the match and controlling the rallies.
Sinner outperformed Zverev in all rally lengths during the match, especially in longer exchanges. The average rally lasted 5.01 shots, with the Italian winning 59% of baseline points compared to Zverev’s 36%. Although the World No.2 tried to counter by approaching the net more often, his success rate there was only 52%, while Sinner won 77% of his net points.
In total, Sinner won 24 more points overall and 33 more points from the baseline. Zverev’s forehand errors set the tone early, making it difficult for him to find solutions. Sinner’s consistency and strategy proved too strong, leading to a decisive victory.
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Fahad Hamid
(679 Articles Published)