Alexander Zverev tie interrupted as heckler draws attention to domestic abuse allegations

Bavarian International victory over Tallon Griekspoor was interrupted by a heckler referencing domestic abuse allegations made against the German. Leading 6-5 in the second set against his Dutch opponent, Zverev asked for a member of the crowd to be removed from the venue over the comments.

Last June, the 27-year-old . He paid £171,000 to terminate the case, but the fee was not an admission of guilt. Zverev has always maintained his innocence over an allegation that he abused his ex-girlfriend during an argument in 2020.

Zverev was reminded of the case during his match against Griekspoor. An individual sitting in the crowd made reference to the allegations.

Broadcast footage shows Zverev preparing to serve at 5-5 in the second set. He then clearly hears something being shouted, before a German individual's voice is picked up by the courtside microphone.

At the change of ends, Zverev sat down to have a drink. More shouting is aimed at the world No. 3, who then asks umpire Fergus Murphy to have the man removed. "Fergus, Fergus, please kick him out?"

Murphy asks what the issue is, to which Zverev responds: "I don't want to repeat it. It's the same guy who did the same thing before my second serve once."

Zverev went on to beat Griekspoor 6-7 7-6 6-4. He will play Fabian Marozsan in the semi-final tomorrow. It is unclear whether the individual who heckled Zverev was removed from their seat.

In January 2023, the ATP closed a 15-month investigation that was launched after another ex-girlfriend made an allegation of domestic abuse against Zverev. He denies those accusations, too.

Speaking last summer, Zverev said: "I do believe in the German system. I do believe in the truth, as well. I have to be certain that I do know what I did, I do know what I didn't do. I do believe that I'm not going to lose this procedure. There's absolutely no chance I am."

It comes after a member of the crowd heckled Zverev during his speech after he lost the Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner. They bellowed "Australia believes Olya and Brenda", referencing the two women who made the allegations.

After the case was settled last year, Zverev's legal team said: "The settlement includes no determination or admission of guilt. The presumption of innocence remains."