A Berlin court has begun hearing an appeal by German tennis player Alexander Zverev against a fine imposed for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, an accusation he denies.
As the world No. 4 competes in the French Open in Paris, his lawyers are fighting a €450,000 fine imposed in October for allegedly trying to strangle Brenda Patea, his then-partner and the mother of his three-year-old daughter, Mayla.
The prosecutor recounted how, during a heated argument in a Berlin apartment in May 2020, Zverev allegedly pushed Patea against a wall and strangled her with both hands.
Patea reportedly had difficulty swallowing and breathing and suffered from throat pain for several days afterward.
Zverev’s lead defense lawyer, Alfred Dierlamm, described the accusations as “unfounded and contradictory.”
He indicated that the court would hear testimony from eyewitnesses and examine chat messages that would provide “an objective view of the events.”
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The case was swiftly adjourned on Friday after Zverev’s legal team requested the remainder of the trial be held behind closed doors to protect his privacy and Mayla’s wellbeing.
The judges are now deliberating on this request.
The trial, scheduled for 10 non-consecutive days, will resume on Monday, when a decision on the private hearing request is expected.
Patea, a former model, appeared in court dressed in a black suit and seemed calm. She was not required to speak and is slated to give evidence early in the trial.
Zverev is not required to appear in court at this stage.
The trial’s start coincides with the French Open, which runs from May 26 to June 9.
The trial is expected to overlap with Wimbledon and conclude just before the Paris Olympics, both of which Zverev, a former Olympic champion, is expected to participate in.
It is unclear if he will need to attend court at any point.
Before the trial, the 27-year-old stated he would not let the proceedings distract him and would “keep a clear head,” expressing confidence in his innocence.
“I believe in the German system. I believe in the truth. I know what I did and what I didn’t do. That’s what will come out, and I have to trust in that,” he said last week. “I believe I’m not going to lose this case. There’s absolutely no chance I am. That’s why I can play calmly.”
Zverev had previously faced allegations of domestic abuse from former girlfriend and fellow tennis player Olya Sharypova.
The Association of Tennis Professionals halted its investigation into those claims in January 2023, citing insufficient evidence after more than two years.
Recently, Zverev defeated Rafael Nadal in the first round of the French Open, possibly ending Nadal’s long dominance of the tournament.
On Thursday, Zverev beat Belgian David Goffin, securing a place in the third round. Seeking his first grand slam title, Zverev is considered a favorite, having recently won the Italian Open in Rome.
