CENTRE COURT may break tradition and boo Alexander Zverev following accusations of domestic violence.
A month after winning his maiden Grand Slam singles title at the French Open Zverev is now only two wins away from a second major trophy – yet many are rooting against him.
Alexander Zverev is unpopular among fans Credit: PA
The 29-year-old takes on in an England v Germany semi-final clash on Friday afternoon.
And many fans have not forgotten about the multiple accusations of domestic abuse made against him by former girlfriends Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea.
The Sharypova case was dropped but Zverev paid more than £170,000 to shorten proceedings in the Patea trial — with no admission of guilt.
Under German law, the discontinuation is not a conviction.
, saying: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”
A spectator also shouted out in the Munich Open quarter-final last year, “Let’s go, you wifebeater.”
He has also had flashpoints on the court and was fined almost £30,000 for hitting the umpire’s chair in anger at an event in Mexico in February 2022.
Zverev could become only the seventh man of the Open Era to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back if he goes all the way in SW19.
He would join the likes of Rafael Nadal and in that elite club, but he is far less popular than the pair.
As well as his on court temper, some believe Zverev has an entitled arrogance about him in his interviews, like when he told a journalist they “ask stupid questions”.
When Zverev was asked in his pre-match press conference about the potentially frosty crowd, he said: “I’m almost 30 years old. I’ve been on tour for long enough. I feel like I’ve seen the most hostile crowds,
“I’ve seen tough crowds, I’ve seen unfair crowds as well. I feel like I should know how to handle it, I’ve learned how to handle it. I’m okay with it.
“I always feel like the English crowd here, especially in London, they’re always quite fair. Yes, they can be loud, they can be cheerful, but that’s okay. I don’t mind it at all.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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