Table of Contents
- The German tennis player is not required to appear before the Berlin court at this time
- Ex-partner Brenda Patea filed charges against Zverev since May 2020
- Zverev booked his place in the third round in Paris after defeating David Goffin
As Alexander Zverev continues his attempts to win his first Grand Slam title here in Paris, a trial has begun in a Berlin court that could have much bigger implications for his tennis career.
On October 2 last year, a German court handed down a penalty order and fined the 27-year-old £392,000 for bodily harm against his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea, the mother of his child.
Under German law, the prosecutor issues a sanction order when he does not consider a trial necessary.
Zverev denies the allegations and has challenged the sanction order, leading to the public trial that began on Friday but was quickly postponed following a request from Zverev’s defense team that the remainder of the trial be held behind closed doors, to protect your privacy and the well-being of your daughter. The application will now be considered.
What happened on the first day of the trial?
Before the break, both sides presented their arguments. The prosecutor said that after a “heated argument” in a Berlin apartment, Zverev allegedly pushed Patea against a wall and strangled her with both hands. Patea is said to have had difficulty swallowing and a sore throat for several days.
Alfred Dierlamm, Zverev’s lead defense lawyer, called the accusations “unfounded and contradictory” and said the court would see chat messages and hear from witnesses, which would give “an objective picture of events.”
What are the trial dates?
The dates are June 7, 11, 18 and 21, and July 5, 12 and 19, which means that the test will continue at Wimbledon, which will be held from July 1 to 14.
In theory, it was possible that Zverev would be called to the court during the French Open, but the No. 4 seed confirmed before the tournament that he would not be required to attend.
As Alexander Zverev seeks his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, the trial on assault charges against him begins in Berlin.
The German player’s ex-partner, Brenda Patea, arrived at the trial in Berlin on Friday morning.
The legal defense of the 27-year-old young man described the sanction order that had been issued to him as “scandalous.”
What has Zverev said about the trial?
The German will be represented by the law firm Schertz Bergmann, who at the time of the sanction stated: “The procedure is scandalous, one cannot speak of a fair constitutional procedure.” Mr Zverev will take action against this using all possible means.’
When asked before the French Open whether the impending trial would be a distraction in his attempts to win the title, Zverev responded: “Not at all. I believe in the German system. I also believe in the truth. I know what I did, I know what I did not do.
‘At the end of the day, that’s what’s going to come out, and I have to trust that.
‘I’m not going to miss this procedure. There is absolutely no chance it will be. That’s why I can play with peace of mind and I think my results have shown it.”
Patea has alleged that Zverev strangled her with both hands amid a ‘heated argument’ in 2020
The world number 4 has stressed that he does not see the impending trial as a distraction in court.
French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said of Zverev: “As long as the trial is not over and there is no decision, he is considered innocent and that is why he is allowed to be part of the draw.”
What are the implications of a guilty verdict?
The implication is that he would not be allowed to participate if the penalty order stands and, indeed, there would be huge pressure on the ATP Tour and Grand Slams to exclude Zverev or issue some sort of ban if the trial doesn’t go his way. wants. .