Alexander Zverev is accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend (Picture: Getty)
Australian Open players were quizzed about Alexander Zverev’s domestic abuse allegations on Tuesday, including British No.1 Cameron Norrie.
German tennis star Zverev, ranked world No.6, faces a trial over the allegations during this year’s French Open, with the hearing set to start on May 31.
Zverev was given a penalty order and fined after being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend in November.
The 26-year-old, who is currently in action at the Australian Open and is a member of the ATP players’ council, denies the allegations.
Zverev gave a series of frosty responses over the trail when asked about it in his press-conference on Tuesday following his first-round win over Dominik Koepfer.
Quizzed if it was appropriate for him to continue on the ATP players’ council, Zverev said: ‘Why would it not be?’
Asked if he had the support of his fellow players to remain in the role, he added: ‘Yeah, I think so.
Alexander Zverev faces Lukas Klein in the second round (Picture: Getty)
‘I mean, I think so. Nobody has said anything to me. I don’t have a reason not to believe that.’
In response to those who have said he should not be playing at all, Zverev said: ‘Like who?
‘Journalists are saying that, some, who are actually interested more in this story to write about and more about the clicks than the actual truth.’
Alexander Zverev beat Dominik Koepfer in his opening match (Picture: Getty)
His fellow ATP stars were reluctant to discuss the allegations in their respective post-match press conferences.
British No.1 Norrie said: ‘Yeah, honestly, I don’t know too much about that. I can’t comment at all, unfortunately. I don’t really know what happened, so it’s tough to comment.’
Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov, asked about Zverev remaining on the ATP players’ council, added: ‘I think this is a matter that I think everyone needs to sit down together and discuss all of that.
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‘That’s my message on that end. Of course now these things are coming through, personally, I did not know. I’m sure if you ask all the other guys, it’s something that if it’s needed, I guess we are all going to sit down and talk about it.’
World No.7 Stefanos Tsitsipas said: ‘I will not say on that. I don’t know the situation. I’m completely unfamiliar with it. I have nothing to comment.’
World No.11 Casper Ruud added: ‘I haven’t had too much time to think about it, and don’t really have an opinion right now. But yeah, I’m not really sure how to react to it, so I won’t give you a good answer. Sorry.’
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Zverev faces a trial over the allegations.
