The heckler who yelled at Alexander Zverev during the Australian Open post-match ceremony has revealed why she did so. In an interview with independent tennis journalist, Ben Rothenberg, “Nina,” who claims she is a huge tennis fan, felt the sport had been apathetic to issues like domestic violence.
Nina, which is not her real name, shouted out just before the German’s post-match speech: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda!” three times over from the stands of Melbourne Park. This was in reference to the two allegations Zverev has faced.
Alexander Zverev’s Domestic Abuse Allegations
Two women in the past have come forward in recent years
Olya Sharypova first made her allegations in an interview with Racquet Magazine in 2020, but did not file her allegations with the police or through the courts. The ATP squashed the allegations of insufficient evidence. Zverev was then faced with allegations once again in 2023, this time by Brenda Patea, the mother of his child. The allegations concluded with an out-of-court settlement in 2024 that did not include an admission of guilt from the German and concluded without any criminal record against his name.
Previous allegations brought up after Australian Open final
Zverev faced Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open, but missed out on his first Grand Slam title once again. The world number two became the sixth player to lose his first three Grand Slam finals. After the match, he said: “I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now?
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Alexander Zverev’s route to the Australian Open final |
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Round |
Opponent |
Result |
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First round |
L. Pouille |
6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
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Second round |
P. Martinez |
6-1, 6-4, 6-1 |
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Third round |
J. Fearnley |
6-3, 6-4, 6-4 |
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Fourth round |
U. Humbert |
6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
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Quarter-final |
T. Paul |
7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 |
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Semi-final |
N. Djokovic |
7-6 (Walkover) |
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Final |
J. Sinner |
3-6, 6-7, 3-6 |
“Good for her [Nina]. 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.”
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Nina stated that this was her fifth session this year and that she had been at the women’s final the night before, so it wasn’t just a case of her turning up to the men’s final just to cause a disruption.
“I’m a genuine fan… I was at five sessions [this year] I believe, prior to the men’s final,” she said. “I love this sport. I don’t love its apathy to these important topics.
“I decided at match point I’d come down to the Melbourne sign end, because I know where the media seats are. I wanted to be close enough to you all to hopefully hear me. And I wanted Olya’s and Brenda’s names to be heard in that arena.
An eyewitness has revealed what happened to the Australian Open heckler after she shouted down at Alexander Zverev.
“I’m thrilled that Olya and Brenda’s stories are being recapped by the media and highlighted by other media for the very first time. I’m surprised at the impact. This was never about attention for myself. I’m grateful for the friends and family showing me support; they’ve shared with me some positive comments online, and I’m glad to see it. I hope Olya and Brenda experience and witness the same positivity.”
The ATP does not currently have a policy specifically regarding allegations of domestic violence.