Zverev cuts short interview with L'Équipe after questions about abuse allegations

The mood shifted when the reporters brought up older allegations. Zverev initially responded to a shout from the crowd during a match at the 2025 Australian Open that had touched on the accusations. When the questions became more specific, Zverev grew increasingly unwilling to engage. Asked about the allegations discussed at the Paris press conference, he answered, according to L'Équipe: "Wait, first of all, this is not that kind of interview. And secondly, you know that the allegations have been proven to be false?"

Reactions and quotes

The newspaper further reports that Zverev reacted indignantly and added: "You do know that the allegations turned out to be false?" He also denied being afraid that an incident like the one at the Australian Open could be repeated in Paris. When asked whether he felt it was unfair that the media continued to raise the issue, he did not answer.

Eventually, Zverev ended the conversation himself. When asked about his schedule for the coming weeks, he said: "I don't know. I think we should stop. That's better." According to L'Équipe, his final sentence was: "I think we should stop, this way it's better."

Background: The proceedings in Berlin

The background to the reporting is allegations made by two former partners who accused Zverev of domestic violence. Proceedings before the Berlin Tiergarten district court on a charge of bodily harm were discontinued in July 2024, shortly before that year's French Open final, in exchange for a payment of 200,000 euros, without a verdict being reached. The discontinuation of the proceedings had been preceded by an out-of-court settlement. As L'Équipe notes, the agreement to a monetary payment is not an admission of guilt; Zverev is considered innocent.

Regarding the handling of the allegations, L'Équipe wrote: "For us, it was obvious: we could not interview him about his victory (...) without also confronting him with the doubts and reservations of part of the public and the media." The newspaper explained that it had perceived an unease surrounding Zverev's victory and decided to disclose it.

Front page as a statement

The Monday front page of L'Équipe was also notable: for the first time in years, the newspaper did not dedicate its entire front page to the winner of a Grand Slam tournament. Zverev was only visible as a small image in the upper left corner, while the center was occupied by the Metz women's handball team following their Champions League victory. In this context, the newspaper asked: "Should the German champion have been treated like any other Grand Slam winner, with the shadows surrounding him since the allegations of two former partners of domestic violence discreetly left out?"

Reactions and outlook

When asked by the German Press Agency about the interview, Zverev's management initially did not comment. Zverev had always rejected the allegations; the Berlin proceedings did not result in a conviction. He had won the current French Open final against Cobolli, after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in June 2024. The Hamburg native, who has been among the world's top players for years, had previously stated how important this first Major title was to him.

Reactions on social media and in parts of the French press were mixed. While some observers welcomed L'Équipe's decision, others criticized the handling of the athlete and pointed to the presumption of innocence. What is clear is that with the first Grand Slam success and the heated press conference, the debate over Zverev's public image is not over.

For Zverev himself, the period after Paris is now the focus. He did not comment further on his remaining season schedule during the aborted interview. Observers assume that media attention surrounding him is more likely to increase than decrease in the coming weeks.