“Attempted image rehab showcase,” Alexander Zverev faces brutal snub as author of Naomi Osaka’s biography takes a clear dig at Netflix’s Break Point

Alexander Zverev was accused twice for domestic violence by his two ex-girlfriends.

“Attempted image rehab showcase,” Alexander Zverev faces brutal snub as author of Naomi Osaka’s biography takes a clear dig at Netflix’s Break Point

Alexander Zverev in Netflix Break Point (Image via Open Source/X)

Renowned journalist and author of Japanese tennis ace Naomi Osaka’s biography, Ben Rothenberg has launched a scathing attack on Netflix for their portrayal of Alexander Zverev in their documentary series on tennis- Break Point. As Zverev gets an entire episode dedicated to him, Rothenberg pointed out its issues. 

He claims that the episode does not even mention the two domestic violence allegations Zverev faces. On top of that, Zverev is portrayed as a hero while Daniil Medvedev, who distanced himself from Zverev after the controversy, is portrayed as the villain.

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Rothenberg opines that while Netflix could have easily talked about the cases against Zverev, the OTT giant chose to ignore it and instead focused on the German’s image building. The journalist also made a few staggering claims.

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He claims that Zverev’s first girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, who accused the German of physically abusing her is a childhood friend of Daria Medvedev, Daniil’s wife. Rothenberg goes on by saying that Netflix could have easily gotten in touch with her but they chose to ignore it.

Rothenberg wrote an entire thread on X (formerly Twitter) where he talked about the issues with the episode that portrays Alexander Zverev as a hero. He feels that it is all done to rebuild Zverev’s public image. 

The Break Point producers had literal hundreds of options for who to spotlight and profile in Season 2, and they chose Zverev, and chose to do it for him in this way. It's a decision so galling, honestly, that it completely overshadows everything else in the season.
Ben Rothenberg wrote in one of his posts on X.

Ben Rothenberg feels ATP and others don’t care about charges against Alexander Zverev

The journalist also criticized the ATP over its decision to elect Alexander Zverev to the ATP 2024 Players’ Council. Ben Rothenberg claims that such a move indicates that ATP and others on the tour seem to care little about the domestic violence charges pressed against the German.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev in action during a match. (credits: CNN)

The journalist pointed out how Zverev’s election to the Players’ Council will affect the policies against domestic violence which are still to be introduced by the tennis governing body.

Alexander Zverev elected to ATP player council while still facing domestic violence charges in Germany. The only conclusion is that his peers in the locker room don’t care. ATP still hasn’t made a domestic violence policy; now the policy might need Zverev’s personal approval?!?
Ben Rothernberg wrote on X.

Notably, while ATP’s investigation failed to find any conclusive evidence against Zverev about the allegations from his first ex-girlfriend, the German was issued a penalty order and fined $758,000 by a Berlin court over allegations of bodily harm against Brenda Patea.

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