MELBOURNE, Australia — After Alexander Zverev's loss in the Australian Open final, he was publicly confronted by a fan who shouted the names of his ex-girlfriends who have accused him of physical abuse. “Australia believes Olya and Brenda!” the heckler yelled repeatedly, drawing mixed reactions from the crowd, including boos and applause.

During the trophy ceremony held at Rod Laver Arena, Zverev was taken aback but remained silent for over 30 seconds before addressing the audience. In his post-match press conference, he stated, “I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for — what? — nine months now.” He added, “I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again,” in response to questions regarding the allegations against him.

The accusations stem from allegations made by Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea, who have both claimed instances of abuse during their relationships with the tennis player. Although Zverev has consistently denied these allegations, they have been the subject of investigations by the ATP, which, as of January 2023, found insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims. However, Zverev did face legal scrutiny regarding an incident with Patea, which culminated in a district court settling the matter without a formal admission of guilt, as reported by AP News.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Zverev, the world number two, emphasized wanting to move past the issue. He referenced the crowd's reaction during the ceremony, saying, “I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment.” This public heckling incident highlights the lingering impact of the allegations on Zverev's career and personal life in the public eye.

For more detailed coverage on this incident, see additional reports from HuffPost and CNN.