Zverev's run to Australian Open semifinals draws attention to assault allegation

Alexander Zverev's run to a second Australian Open semifinal has drawn attention to his business in other courts.

As the season's first major was starting, news emerged that a German court set a trial date in May over an assault allegation dating to 2020 after Zverev challenged a penalty order issued by a judge — a step before a trial.

Since then, Zverev has put together five wins and is two from a title in Australia. He's beaten No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz to set up a semifinal against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

And more attention.

Zverev has denied the assault accusations repeatedly. But throughout this tournament, he has not directly answered questions about his legal matters.

After his second-round night match ended in a fifth-set tiebreaker, Zverev was asked if he intended to appear in the German court in person.

"Wow. That's a question. I just played four hours, 40 minutes," he said. "That's not the first question I really want to hear, to be honest. I've got no idea. It's in May."

The ATP, which runs the men's tour, has remained silent on the issue. Other players on the tour have declined to comment.

Last July, Zverev rejected the allegations after the public prosecutor's office in Berlin applied for a penalty order to be made. A German broadcaster reported the incident involved Zverev's former partner.

That move came five months after the ATP said there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate allegations of domestic abuse against Zverev made by another former girlfriend.

The ATP began investigating from October 2021 after Zverev's former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, accused the 2020 U.S. Open runner-up of abuse.

The 26-year-old Zverev has been a top 10 player since 2017 and has won 21 tour-level