‘I’m not about to open that subject again’: Zverev responds to heckler after Australian Open final loss

Alexander Zverev says his post-Australian Open final heckler on Sunday night was “the only one in the stadium” who believed the domestic violence allegations against him.

In dramatic scenes right before Zverev’s runner-up speech, a woman shouted the same five words three times before being escorted from Rod Laver Arena: “Australia believes Olga and Brenda.”

The German world No.2, who has now lost three major finals, paused until the woman was removed and then completed his speech without mention of the incident.

Asked afterwards about his reaction to the comments, Zverev said: “I believe there are no more accusations.

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“There haven’t been for, what, nine months now. Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment.

“If that’s the case, good for her. I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again.”

Zverev reached an out-of-court settlement in June last year that ended a trial where his former partner, Brenda Patea, made domestic violence allegations against him.

Zverev agreed to pay fines of €150,000 ($246,000) to the state, and €50,000 ($82,000) to charitable organisations.