Zverev faces new civil suit from ex-partner Brenda Patea over June interview remarks

A new claim in Berlin

Former partner Brenda Patea has filed a civil suit against Alexander Zverev at a Berlin court, dated 18 September, according to a report by Bounces journalist Ben Rothenberg. The claim concerns statements Zverev made to the French sports daily L'Équipe on 8 June 2026, the day after he won Roland Garros, his first Grand Slam title. Asked about the domestic violence accusations made against him in the past, he said his innocence had been proven. Patea's lawyer, Michael Scheele, argues that the absence of a conviction does not amount to a formal declaration of innocence. The report surfaced as Zverev prepares to open his ATP Finals campaign in Turin, where he arrives as world No. 1 for the first time.

What Patea is asking for

According to Focus, Patea seeks an injunction and financial compensation for violation of her personality rights. The complaint argues that there was neither an acquittal nor a court finding of innocence. Her lawyer says Zverev's version creates the impression abroad that she wrongly accused him, which damages her reputation. Patea first applied for a preliminary injunction, withdrew that application on 14 September and filed the civil suit a few days later. Earlier, in August, Patea had Zverev asked several times to confirm the statement and refrain from repeating it, and no reply came. According to her lawyer, she hesitated because a further legal dispute could complicate out-of-court arrangements over maintenance.

The earlier criminal case

Olga Sharypova, another former partner and tennis player, accused Zverev of physical and psychological violence in October 2020, according to Le Soir. Patea was the second former partner to make domestic violence allegations against him, after Sharypova. In October 2023 a penalty order with a 450,000 euro fine was issued against Zverev, and he objected to it. Focus reports that a criminal trial followed in May and June 2024, ending in an agreement under which Zverev paid 200,000 euros in total to the state treasury and a charity. The BBC reported that the court said the outcome was not a verdict and did not concern guilt or innocence. Zverev has consistently denied the accusations.

Penalty order fine, October 2023450,000

Settlement payment, 2024200,000

Penalty order fine, October 2023

450000 EUR

Settlement payment, 2024

200000 EUR

Data from the article text

Zverev's response and the ATP Finals

Zverev's media lawyer Christian Schertz told Bounces that the complaint had not yet been formally served on his client, so he could not comment on the case. Schertz also described coverage of the case at this point as expressly inappropriate. Zverev is due to open his campaign against Rafael Jodar on Sunday, 15 November, in the tournament that begins that day. He has won two Grand Slam titles in 2026, and he is among the favourites in Turin. The sporting side of his week is therefore unfolding alongside a legal dispute that his camp has so far declined to address in detail.