“Always One or Two Idiots,” Alexander Zverev Hits Back at Offensive Heckler at BMW Open Revisiting Domestic Abuse Allegations
During an intense quarterfinal showdown at the BMW Open, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev found himself not only battling on court but also confronting the ongoing fallout from past allegations. The German star, who defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6(6)-7, 7-6(3), 6-4, was targeted by a heckler who shouted a derogatory remark referencing past domestic abuse allegations.
According to ESPN, the incident occurred during the second set, with Zverev serving at 5-5, 15-0. A fan loudly yelled, “Let’s go, you f—ing wife beater” (translated from German), disrupting the atmosphere. Though initially unfazed, Zverev brought the issue to chair umpire Fergus Murphy during the next changeover, asking, “Please kick him out. I don’t want to repeat it. It’s the same guy who did the same thing before my second serve once.”
Tournament officials later confirmed that the individual was removed from the stadium. After the match, Zverev addressed the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, there are always one or two idiots in the stadium. That is no problem.”
The Ongoing Shadow of Controversy
Zverev’s personal life has long been under public scrutiny. In 2020, his ex-girlfriend Olya Sharypova accused him of physical and emotional abuse, though no charges were filed. A 15-month ATP investigation concluded there was “insufficient evidence” for disciplinary action. In 2023, Zverev faced fresh allegations from another ex-partner, Brenda Patea, which led to a court case and eventual settlement in June 2024.
Despite the legal matters being closed, public backlash continues. At the 2025 Australian Open final, a protester interrupted his runner-up speech by shouting, “Australia believes Olya and Brenda!”—a moment that made headlines worldwide.
When asked about that incident, Zverev responded, “There are no more accusations. I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again.”
On-Court Grit: Zverev Digs Deep in Munich
Despite the controversy, Zverev’s focus on the court has been razor-sharp. In a thrilling battle, he bounced back from a set down and a 3-5 deficit in the second set to overpower Griekspoor. The match marked his first three-win streak since January and improved his head-to-head record against the Dutchman to 7-2.
“I’m extremely happy. Finally, I won a close one,” said Zverev post-match. “I’ve lost a few of those in the past few months. I hung in there, especially in the third set, being 0/40 down. I’m proud to win this match.”
Reflecting on their rivalry, he added, “Me and Tallon always have weird matches. It’s always entertaining, we always go the distance.”
Next Stop: Semifinals
Zverev now faces Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the semifinals, boasting a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head. The German will look to ride this momentum to a third career BMW Open title, having previously won in 2017 and 2018.
Your Take:
Can Zverev’s athletic excellence overshadow the lingering shadow of past allegations? Or will public sentiment continue to shape how he’s received at tournaments.
