Alexander Zverev: Andy Murray welcomes ATP investigation into home abuse allegations

The ATP introduced on Tuesday it was investigating claims by Alexander Zverev’s former girlfriend Olga Sharypova that he punched her of their resort room throughout the Shanghai Masters in 2019; Andy Murray had been one of many few male gamers calling publicly for one thing to be completed

Alexander Zverev is being investigated by the ATP over home abuse allegations

Andy Murray has welcomed the ATP’s investigation into home violence allegations made towards Alexander Zverev.

The governing physique announced on Tuesday it was trying into the claims by Zverev’s former girlfriend Olga Sharypova that the world quantity 4 punched her of their resort room throughout the Shanghai Masters in 2019.

The Russian former junior participant first went public with a sequence of allegations towards Zverev final October, to which the 24-year-old issued a blanket denial.

He continues to maintain his innocence however stress had been rising for the ATP to take some type of motion, with Murray one of many few male gamers calling publicly for one thing to be completed.

The ATP’s announcement additionally revealed an impartial safeguarding report commissioned to suggest steps ahead in the way in which the organisation handles such points has been accomplished.

Zverev continues to disclaim all of the allegations and has now taken authorized motion

Talking forward of his first match on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Murray stated: “I believe now you need to strive to have a look at the positives of what is come from that and, sure it is taken just a little bit too lengthy, however now there may be going to be a course of in place and protocols in place when allegations like which are made.”

Zverev hopes the investigation will permit him to show his innocence, saying: “Bloody lastly, to be sincere. I have been asking them myself for months now. As a result of it’s extremely arduous for me to clear my identify and solely with one thing like this I can utterly.

“It’s extremely tough in my scenario as a result of a variety of occasions the person is just not actually believed. I’ve confirmed that I am harmless in a variety of alternative ways and I believe now, with this investigation, I hope this may be completed and dusted and we are able to transfer on with all the pieces else.

“I’ve had one of the vital unbelievable seasons a younger man has had within the final in all probability 10 years. And that’s form of forgotten just a little bit.”

Indian Wells represents the newest in a busy interval of tournaments for Murray, whose physique is lastly permitting him to compete week-to-week on the tour.

What he has not been capable of do but, although, is string wins collectively, with a quarter-final look in Metz final month the one time apart from Wimbledon the place he has been capable of win two matches in a row.

The 34-year-old remains to be ranked down at 121 on this planet, and he stated: “The matches that I’ve misplaced, barring Winston-Salem, are [to players] within the high 15 on this planet – (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, (Hubert) Hurkacz, Casper Ruud.

Andy Murray may meet Alexander Zverev within the third spherical at Indian Wells

“They’re high gamers and have been this season definitely. I’ve additionally had a variety of alternatives in these matches and never fairly taken them.

“Partly that is all the way down to enjoying towards high gamers, they are going to snuff out some alternatives you create, but additionally there’s been some stuff in these matches that I definitely really feel I may have completed higher.

“The constructive I assume is that I’ve not been shedding to guys I ought to undoubtedly have been profitable towards at this stage.”

Within the first spherical in Indian Wells, Murray will tackle Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, with a attainable assembly towards Zverev looming within the third spherical.

It’s the Scot’s first look within the Californian desert since 2017 however, even in his heyday, it was not a venue he notably loved enjoying at, with Murray citing a mix of the dry air and lightweight balls.

He’s optimistic for this yr, although, saying: “I did have some good wins and stuff right here, it is not like I performed badly yearly, however total I have been fairly inconsistent right here and struggled with that however the balls are getting a lot heavier, which I actually like. I am discovering it lots simpler to regulate the ball compared to different years.”

Murray is as soon as once more enjoying after receiving a wild card, as has been the case for just about all the predominant tour occasions he has contested since getting back from hip surgical procedure.

Mats Wilander was closely criticised on the French Open final autumn for saying he didn’t suppose Murray ought to preserve taking wild playing cards, however the former world No 1 has no qualms about it.

He stated: “Clearly I would quite get in by proper. However I may additionally argue that the three years I used to be out injured, I’d have rightfully been entered into all of those tournaments.

“I believe, after what I’ve gone by means of the final three or 4 years and what I would achieved within the recreation beforehand, I do not really feel like I must justify the explanations for why I ought to get wild playing cards.

“The tournaments are clearly making these selections, I do not make the decision. I am very grateful they’ve given me the chance to play right here once more and to play within the different tournaments this yr however do I really feel dangerous about it? No, I do not really feel dangerous about it.”