During his Munich Open quarter-final against Tallon Griekspoor, Alexander Zverev faced jeers from a spectator who referenced past domestic abuse allegations against the German.
The incident occurred as Zverev served at 5-5 in the second set, when a fan shouted, “Let’s go, you… wifebeater!”
Zverev initially ignored the remark, maintaining his focus as other spectators turned on the heckler.
After winning the game, he approached chair umpire Fergus Murphy during the changeover to address the situation.
“Fergus, please kick him out,” Zverev said.
“Unfortunately ,there are always one or two idiots in the stadium. That is no problem,” Zverev later told reporters.
Zverev faced similar taunts from the crowd earlier this year when he delivered his runner-up speech at January’s Australian Open.
The incident follows legal developments in Zverev’s personal life. Last June, his legal team confirmed he reached an out-of-court settlement with Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, after she accused him of physical abuse. The German court subsequently closed the case.
This wasn’t the first time allegations surfaced against the tennis star. In January 2023, the ATP concluded its investigation into separate abuse claims by former girlfriend Olya Sharypova, citing lack of concrete evidence. Zverev has consistently denied all accusations.
On court, the German showed resilience to overcome Griekspoor 6-7(6) 7-6(3) 6-4 in a grueling three-hour match, exacting revenge for his defeat to the Dutch player at Indian Wells in March.
“I don’t even care if it was a roller-coaster ride, I won.” Zverev said.
“The crowd carried me to victory. I was already mentally exhausted, but they cheered me on in the decisive phase.”
