Alex Zverev apologises to tennis chiefs after domestic abuse allegations overshadow last London ATP Finals
ALEX ZVEREV has apologised to tennis officials after domestic abuse allegations overshadowed the last London ATP Finals.
The world No7 is set to play at the O2 Arena next week in the season-ending event of the men’s tennis calendar.
Last week his former Russian girlfriend Olga Sharypova, 23, alleged Zverev tried to choke her with a pillow in a New York hotel room during the 2019 US Open and punched her in the face at a Laver Cup event in Geneva.
Sharypova, a former junior player, alleges she tried to commit suicide after being subjected to physical and emotional abuse by Zverev.
These allegations surfaced following the revelation that a different former girlfriend was pregnant with his child.
Speaking on the media day for the Tour finals, Zverev, 23, strenuously denied the allegations made to America’s Racquet Magazine, labelling them as 'unfounded' and 'untrue'.
The US Open finalist said: "The last few days as you know the focus has shifted a little bit to the off court.
“Many people have asked me why I kept my mouth shut, why I didn’t say anything.
“While I very much regret that those allegations have been made, I have to stick to my initial (stance) of them being untrue and continue to deny them.
“These accusations are just unfounded, untrue. We had our ups and downs, but the way our relationship was described in the public is not how it was.
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“That’s not who I am, not how I was raised by my parents, not simply who I am as a person.
“It makes me sad that the impact of such accusations can have on the sport, on the outside world, on myself as well.
“I truly apologise that the focus has shifted away from the sport.
“We all love playing tennis, that is what we are here to do, all we are here to focus on.
“Unfortunately as I said, it has shifted. I am looking forward to playing here for the last time in London.
“I have to keep denying them as they are just untrue and it is sad to see those unfounded accusations can make such a big impact on everything.”
The ATP Finals will take place in London for the final time before moving to a permanent base in Turin, Italy, from 2021.
Hamburg-born Zverev, who is based in the millionaires' playground of Monaco, won the tournament in 2018 when he shocked Novak Djokovic in the final.
An ATP statement on domestic violence and abuse said: "The ATP fully condemns any form of violence or abuse.
"We expect all members of the Tour to do the same and to refrain from any conduct that is violent, abusive, or puts others at risk.