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The news of Alexander Zverev representing Team Europe at this year's Laver Cup hit the internet on Thursday (February 8), much to the disappointment of fans on social media.
Zverev started his 2024 ATP tour season on an impressive note, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open last month. The World No. 6's Melbourne run, however, was overshadowed by his off-court troubles as he has been accused of 'physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument' in early 2020.
Alexander Zverev will face a court trial for the allegations in late May. The German had also been accused of physical and emotional abuse three years ago by his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova, who dated him for nearly two years.
In fact, one of the accounts detailing Sharypova's abuse stated that the former World No. 2 had punched her in the face at the 2019 Laver Cup in Geneva, Switzerland. Devastated by the alleged assault, Sharypova said she tried to take her own life by overdosing on Zverev's insulin medication.
The German reportedly found her unconscious in their hotel room later, and allegedly took help from an unnamed Laver Cup official to resuscitate her.
Against this background, many fans on social media were upset at Alexander Zverev's participation in the 2024 edition of Laver Cup. One fan recalled the above incident, asserting that the Laver Cup officials should be ashamed of themselves for calling the 26-year-old back to their event.
"He's literally accused of physical abuse at your event have some shame," they wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another fan, meanwhile, highlighted that both Zverev's trial and the 2024 Laver Cup will be held in Germany.
"Both his trial *and* the Laver Cup in Germany this year, what a year for German tennis," they wrote.
Here are a few more reactions from X:
Alexander Zverev to next play at the 2024 Los Cabos Open
Alexander Zverev has been taking some rest since his campaign in Australia this January. The German was in fine form Down Under; not only did he record his second-career semifinal run in Melbourne, but he also guided Team Germany to their maiden United Cup title.
Zverev will next play at the 2024 Mifel Tennis Open in Los Cabos, which begins on February 19. The German is the top seed at the ATP 250 tournament and will be joined by other stars like Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur.
The 26-year-old is also scheduled to play the Mexican Open in Acapulco the following week. He has enjoyed good results at the ATP 500 tournamentin the past, having won the title in 2021 and finished as the runner-up in 2019.
