ATP Finals: "Zverev Case" - Novak Djokovic advocates ATP regulation for allegations of violence
Novak Djokovic about the allegations against Alexander Zverev and a possible intervention by the ATP.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Nov 21, 2020, 10:22 am
Novak Djokovic didn’t long to talk about the bush. Should the ATP bring a regulation into being to advance an investigation into allegations of violence against its players? After all, the major US leagues around the NFL and NBA would have done the same.
"I know who you are referring to," said the Djoker, who had just seen and defeated Alexander Zverev, who was indirectly in the room, on the court and thus made his entry into the semifinals of the ATP Finals clear. "Of course I heard what was going on. You don't know what actually happened. But you will probably find out." Zverev is said to have abused his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova mentally and physically, as she had explained several times in the last few weeks and most recently in a conversation with the tennis magazine Racquet . The hamburger denies the allegations, however.
He has known Sascha for a long time when he was still very young and always had a great relationship with him, said Djokovic. "I have a lot of respect for him, his family. I'm the same age as his brother Mischa. So I was very sad when I heard about it and now I know what he has to go through."
Djokovic on Zverev: "I'm there for him if he wants to talk"
Of course, he does not support any form of violence, so Djokovic. And whether the ATP should develop a corresponding "policy"? "Yes, why not? Perhaps something like this should be put into effect. I think there is no such thing as yet because there have been no such cases. At least I haven't heard that top players were involved. But maybe this case will that inspire ATP. "
He did not speak to Zverev about the matter. "But I told him that I would be there for him if he wanted to talk." As for his results on the court, "he seems to be handling it well, considering how many things he has to do outside of it. I wish him that he will soon be over that and concentrate on his life and tennis career can. "