Tennis tour chiefs said on Monday they had launched an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev made by his ex-girlfriend.
Last year, former junior player Olga Sharipova accused the German world number four of physical and emotional abuse, which was denied by Zverev.
More details of their claims were published in a story in the online magazine Slate in August, prompting 24-year-old Zverev to issue a statement in which he “clearly and clearly” refrained from abusing Sharipova. was denied.
He also initiated legal action.
One of the allegations refers to an alleged attack during the Shanghai Masters in 2019.
The ATP, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, said it had opened an investigation.
“An internal investigation is underway into the allegations relating to Alexander Zverev at the 2019 ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai,” the ATP said in a statement.
“The ATP strongly condemns violence or abuse of any kind and will investigate such allegations relating to conduct in ATP Member Tournaments.”
ATP CEO Massimo Calveli said: “The allegations against Alexander Zverev are serious and we have a responsibility to address them.
“We hope that our investigation will allow us to establish the facts and determine the appropriate follow-up action. We understand that Zverev welcomes our investigation and acknowledge that he has denied all allegations.
“We will monitor any further legal developments following the initial injunction obtained by Zverev in the German courts.”
The ATP does not currently have a domestic violence policy to match those in some sports leagues, but announced Monday that an independent report on safety has been completed that includes a number of recommendations.
It said it would study the report and develop a protection strategy relating to all cases of abuse, including domestic violence.
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