Alexander Zverev’s assault trial has begun in the Berlin criminal court, with his legal team attacking the claims as “unfounded” and portraying the claimed victim, Zverev’s ex-girlfriend, as someone motivated by fame and money, only interested in her social media following.
The reigning Olympic tennis champion, Alexander Zverev, is accused of “physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument.” She is also the mother of his child.
The public prosecutor, Philipp Zündorf, opened the trial by reading the charge in its whole. He said that the alleged incident took place between midnight and 2:30 a.m. on May 20 and 21, 2020, in a leased Airbnb flat in Berlin’s Charlottenburg neighbourhood.
Following a “heated argument,” Zverev is accused of pushing his ex-girlfriend against a wall and strangling her with both hands, following which she left the building.
The ex-girlfriend, who DW will not name due to its policy of not identifying alleged abuse victims, is believed to have suffered from throat pain and difficulty swallowing for several days after the incident.
The matter has gone to trial because Zverev is disputing a penalty order and fine of €450,000 ($489,000) issued in October last year in connection with the alleged incident. He maintains the presumption of innocence until the trial is concluded.
The Zverev defence stated that they will provide a ‘objective portrayal of events’.
Zverev, who is now competing at the French Open in Paris, has not yet been compelled to attend the trial in person. Instead, he is defended by a legal team led by Alfred Dierlamm, a well-known criminal defence lawyer.
Dierlamm read from a 12-page document outlining the arguments that the defence intends to bring at trial. He labelled the accusations “unfounded” and claimed they were “contradictory in relation to other evidence” that had yet to be presented.
“This evidence is relevant to the trial,” Dierlamm stated, adding it will include witnesses who were not part of the penalty order, as well as additional chat messages and communication logs. This will provide “an objective picture of the events,” he explained.
Dierlamm attempted to depict the ex-girlfriend as famous and money-hungry, using Zverev’s credit card to make extravagant expenditures. “Above all, [her behaviour] was to increase her followers on Instagram and TikTok, and live a jetset lifestyle,” he told me.
The defence attorney also claimed that the ex-girlfriend lied about her employment and money, citing her claims to have worked as a financial advisor and for Amazon. “This shows her relationship with the truth,” Dierlamm added, adding that everything is linked to a custody battle over the couple’s young daughter.
Hamburg travel following the alleged assault
Dierlamm continued to read from the document, claiming that the incident could not have occurred as reported by the ex-girlfriend. For example, he stated that she told police that she had exited the flat via a gate. “This was a lie, it was fictitious,” he alleged.
Two days after the alleged incident, the duo are reported to have travelled to Hamburg, Zverev’s hometown. They clashed again in the car, Dierlamm recalled, giving the ex-girlfriend’s account of events, but despite her desire to turn back and return to Berlin, they drove on to Hamburg.
Alexander Zverev at the French Open.Alexander Zverev at the French Open.
Germany’s tennis star has maintained his innocence and faith in the German legal system. Image: Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo/picture alliance.
Dierlamm stated that while there, the couple spent a “blessed evening” with friends and family. A video taken at the moment depicted a “fun atmosphere, a good mood.” There were no evident injuries or signs of disharmony.
Trial deferred due to privacy concerns.
The defence will also present medical forensics and speech experts during the trial. In court, it was stated that the ex-girlfriend’s charges were identical to those made by Olya Sharypova, another of Zverev’s ex-girlfriends.
Sharypova said Zverev was violent against her on many occasions in 2020 and 2021, including in Monte Carlo, New York, Geneva, and Shanghai. Dierlamm argued that the claims “do not correspond to the truth.”
Dierlamm alleged that the ex-girlfriend “copied Sharypova’s wording and media strategy,” and that the expert “has rarely seen a case like this that is so clear cut.” “The findings are completely clear.”
The court could not verify the claim at this time since the speech expert had not yet testified.
To conclude his claims, Dierlamm stated that the ex-girlfriend threatened Zverev in a WhatsApp discussion that she “would go to the media like Olya, if [Zverev] doesn’t pay more money.”
The trial was delayed shortly thereafter, at the request of the defence. Zverev’s legal team has requested that the remainder of the trial be held behind closed doors to safeguard his privacy and the wellbeing of his daughter.
Zverev’s ex-girlfriend was supposed to testify today, but his lawyers asked an adjournment.
Alexander Zverev (right) with Rafael Nadal.Alexander Zverev (right) with Rafael Nadal.
Zverev defeated tennis legend Rafael Nadal in the first round of the French Open.Image: Frank Molter/DPA/Picture Alliance.
‘It is about justice.’
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Michael Nitschke, representing the ex-girlfriend, stated that he had “nothing against” the request to hold the remainder of the trial in private. The only presiding judge, Barbara Lüders, is likely to rule on this on Monday.
Zverev’s legal team’s strategy was “to be expected,” Nitschke remarked. “You are not shocked; they are excellent lawyers. Their intention is to damage her credibility.
When asked about his client’s motivations, he replied, “It’s obviously not about the money. It is about justice. That is what she aspires for.
