Tennis star Alexander Zverev facing new allegations of abuse by another ex

A little less than six months after ATP closed its investigation into domestic abuse claims by a former girlfriend of Alexander Zverev, the German tennis player is facing a new round of allegations in his home country.

German news outlet RTL reported Wednesday that the public prosecutor’s office in Berlin is seeking a penalty order against Zverev for causing alleged “bodily harm” against ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea, the mother of Zverev’s daughter. 

A penalty order under German law is an “order made by the court requiring a person to pay a mandatory penalty for a breach of the law,” according to Tennis news outlet UBITENNIS.

There is no trial, and if the court grants the order, then Zverev will have two weeks to file an appeal. 

It is unknown what the new allegations stem from, with very few details being made public. 

Zverev, 26, had previously been accused of abusing former partner Olga Sharypova, which led to a lengthy investigation by the ATP that concluded in January.

In its findings, the ATP said that there was “insufficient evidence to substantiate allegations of abuse.”

Zverev, the No. 19 ranked player in the world, had maintained that the allegations were false throughout. 

He didn’t do himself any favors following the allegations when he made a quip about cuddling with his Olympic gold medals because he wasn’t dating anyone during a postmatch interview at the 2021 US Open. 

“I don’t have a girlfriend, I don’t have anybody next to me, so the gold medal obviously sleeps next to me instead, which is very good,” Zverev joked at the time.

He lost in the third round at Wimbledon and is currently competing in the Nordea Open. 

Zverev won his opening-round match on Tuesday over Alex Molcan.

He is 26-17 in singles matches this season on the ATP Tour.