Alexander Zverev's trial for allegedly causing bodily harm to a woman begins in Germany

The prosecution accuses Zverev of pushing his ex-partner against a wall and choking her during an argument in Berlin in May 2020, dpa reported—allegations the player denies.

ByAssociated Press

Published May 31, 2024

BERLIN — German tennis player Alexander Zverev's trial for allegedly causing bodily harm to a woman began Friday, German news agency dpa reported.

Zverev, who is playing at Roland Garros in Paris, was not present for the first day of the trial. The prosecution accuses Zverev of pushing his ex-partner against a wall and choking her during an argument in Berlin in May 2020, dpa reported.

The trial comes after Zverev contested an earlier penalty order issued Oct. 2, including a requirement for Zverev to pay fines amounting to 450,000 euros ($488,000).

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Brenda Patea, co-plaintiff and Zverev's former partner, arrives at the courthouse to attend the start of an appeal by the player against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Penalty orders are used in Germany as a means of resolving some criminal cases without going to trial, if the suspect does not contest the order.

Zverev has previously denied the allegations. His defense sought Friday to cast doubt on his ex-partner's statements, dpa reported.

The 27-year-old Zverev was a finalist at the US Open in 2020, won the men’s singles Olympic gold medal in 2021 and is fourth in the rankings. He won his second-round match at Roland Garros on Thursday against David Goffin and was not scheduled to play Friday.

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