Alexander Zverev uttered just four words when a question pertaining to his attendance at a scheduled trial for ongoing domestic abuse allegations.
Zverev is currently in Rome, where he is playing at the Italian Open, the final major warm-up tournament before Roland Garros. There were question marks regarding his involvement at the clay Slam because of a clash of dates with his court case at the end of May.
The main draw action for the second Grand Slam of the season will begin on May 26th. Zverev is expected to be among the Top 10 seeds and one of the top favorites to win the tournament.
Should he advance into the third-round stage at Roland Garros, which will likely be on May 31st, Zverev is scheduled to appear for a court hearing on that day, given the off-court saga with his former partner, Brenda Patea, which has dragged on for months.
Patea, who is the mother of their child, went public, accusing Zverev of physically abusing her in May 2020. The German was given a penalty order and fined 450,000€ by a court in Berlin. He has submitted an objection against the order and has not been convicted until a final verdict on May 31st.
Zverev has staunchly denied the allegations and termed the fine "complete bulls**t". He has refrained from taking questions on the case during press conferences despite the constant security from reporters.
But he has cleared the air as far as his participation in a public hearing later this month is concerned. The World No. 5 stated that he is not planning to attend.
"No, I'm not. No."
According to BBC Sport, Zverev does not have to appear in person for the hearing, and the trial is expected to last at least eight days. The ATP has distanced itself from the case despite facing criticism from fans and some journalists, such as Jon Wertheim and tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
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