German tennis star Alexander Zverev has strongly criticised a substantial fine imposed on him by a Berlin court, dismissing the €450,000 penalty as “bulls**t” and pledging to contest the ruling through legal channels. The fine, equivalent to about AUD $750,000, relates to allegations that the former world No. 2 assaulted a woman during an argument in May 2020.
The decision, issued on October 2, has sparked renewed scrutiny of a case that has followed Zverev throughout recent seasons. According to a spokeswoman for the Berlin courts, Zverev has formally lodged an objection to the fine, triggering further legal proceedings. Under German law, the objection means the matter is not final, and Zverev continues to be presumed innocent until a court reaches a definitive judgment.
The allegations date back more than three years and involve claims that Zverev “physically abused a woman and damaged her health” during an incident in the German capital. While details of the alleged incident have not been fully aired in open court, the case has remained a sensitive and controversial topic within the sport, frequently resurfacing during major tournaments.
Speaking this week at the Paris Masters, Zverev did not hide his frustration. The 26-year-old openly criticised the fine, echoing the stance taken earlier by his legal team, who described the decision as unjustified and disproportionate. His comments marked one of his most direct public responses to the ruling and underlined his determination to fight the charge rather than accept the penalty.
Zverev’s lawyers have argued that the fine was issued without a full trial and insist that the evidence does not support the allegations. By filing an objection, the defence has effectively forced the case into the next legal stage, where the court may either dismiss the objection or move toward a full hearing. Until that process is completed, the fine remains unenforced.
The case has once again placed Zverev under an intense media spotlight at a time when he is attempting to rebuild momentum on the ATP Tour. Currently ranked world No. 9, the German is in the midst of a strong season following a serious ankle injury suffered in 2022, which sidelined him for months and disrupted his career trajectory.
Despite the off-court controversy, Zverev has continued to compete at the highest level, regularly featuring in the latter stages of major tournaments. However, the ongoing legal dispute has complicated his public image, with questions about the allegations frequently raised during press conferences and interviews.
The ATP has previously stated that it conducted its own investigation into allegations against Zverev, concluding in 2023 that there was insufficient evidence to take disciplinary action under its code of conduct. That decision did not prevent national legal authorities from pursuing their own proceedings, highlighting the separation between sporting governance and criminal or civil law.
As the legal process unfolds, Zverev has made it clear that he intends to clear his name. For now, the tennis world is left watching closely as one of Germany’s most prominent athletes balances his on-court ambitions with a high-profile legal battle that shows no sign of fading.