“As long as the trial isn’t finished…,” Tournament director explains why Alexander Zverev is allowed to play at Roland Garros amidst impending domestic violence trial

Zverev's ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of domestic violence last year.

“As long as the trial isn’t finished…,” Tournament director explains why Alexander Zverev is allowed to play at Roland Garros amidst impending domestic violence trial

Alexander Zverev (Image via Imago)

Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo explained the reason behind not removing Alexander Zverev from the Roland Garros main draw in spite of his upcoming domestic violence trial in Germany. The World No. 4 will kick-start his campaign on Monday (May 27th) by locking horns with 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal in the first round.

The trial is scheduled to be held on May 31 in Berlin (just four days after playing Nadal). Many raised their eyebrows over allowing the German to play the Grand Slam event in Paris amidst the trial but Mauresmo, when asked about the same, said a decision would be taken only after the trial.

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So far, our policy is that, as long as the trial isn't finished and there isn't a decision, he's considered innocent and so that's why he's allowed to be part of the draw. And as far as the trial is concerned, we're not gonna comment on anything because the trial is happening, so we're going to respect that. 
Amelie Mauresmo said in a press conference

Last year, Zverev’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of domestic violence for which he was slapped with a heavy fine of 450,000 euros in October 2023. 

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Alexander Zverev commented on his domestic abuse trial after arriving in Paris 

Alexander Zverev won’t be attending the trials even if he loses to Rafael Nadal in the first round. Ahead of the match, he stated that the legal proceedings wouldn’t affect his matches as he would be focusing just on tennis. 

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via Imago)
I believe that I will not miss this procedure. There is absolutely no chance. That’s why I can play calmly, and I think my results show that. Winning Rome is a great title, and of course, being here — If I thought about [the trial], I wouldn’t play like I do.
Alexander Zverev said in a pre-tournament press conference 

Zverev arrived in Paris after a successful campaign in Rome, winning the final by beating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 to lift his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title. It was also his second Italian Open title as he last won it in 2017 by beating current World No.1 Novak Djokovic. 

The first-round match between him and Nadal at Roland Garros will be their 11th encounter. Zverev is considered the favorite given that the King of Clay has been dealing with form problems since making his comeback in Barcelona. 

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