The Association of Tennis Professionals has requested security video in its investigation into a reported incident of domestic abuse involving German player Alexander Zverev.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Goran Ivanisevic called for the ATP to suspend Zverev following Tuesday’s incident in an argument at an Amsterdam apartment that is now under police investigation, but the tennis authority announced Wednesday it was looking into the matter.
“The ATP has requested video footage of the incident between Alexander Zverev and his mother,” the ATP said in a statement. “The ATP is ensuring that all relevant parties are interviewed. We will provide an update when appropriate.”
According to a source familiar with the matter, Zverev was alone with his mother, who can be heard screaming on the video, to resolve an argument that she had with a family friend. This person said Zverev was charged after he became enraged during the confrontation and allegedly head-butted his mother while he and the friend fought.
According to TMZ, Zverev and his mother then shoved the guest and the guest was taken to a hospital for a self-inflicted injury before being released.
Ivanisevic, a former world No. 1 who won Wimbledon in 2001, and many in the sport wondered what action the ATP would take after Zverev’s violent outburst in Amsterdam.
Ivanisevic took to Twitter on Tuesday and called for Zverev to be suspended immediately by the ATP.
“At least 2am, Zverev should have been suspended immediately,” Ivanisevic wrote on Twitter. “He attacked his mother. I have seen grown men do similar to stop such an argument … I am tired of them all that foul temper, this garbage is bad for #Tennis.”
Zverev, 19, remains on the ATP Challenger circuit in which he is ranked 199th in the world. He has a career-high ranking of No. 5 last year, and could crack the top 20 this week at a tournament in Sheffield, England.
Zverev was largely unknown last year before winning the second Wimbledon boys’ title last year, finishing runner-up at the ATP junior final in July, and backing it up by winning the U.S. Open juniors in August.
The No. 2-ranked Zverev had not made a bad impression as an ATP player until the incident Tuesday, and that resulted in a steady barrage of complaints to the ATP and mixed reviews of the German player from various high-profile players.
“It’s very sad, it’s very tragic, it’s very embarrassing,” Djokovic said. “He looks too young, as he should be on the tour.”
Spanish star Nadal said it’s clear Zverev’s “head was not well” during the incident and added it was “very sad to see that a kid is going through all that now in his life.”
Ivanisevic, who in 2004 was a notorious serial wife beater, said he hopes Zverev changes his ways.
“This man should never be on tour or in any sport, any kind of sport,” Ivanisevic wrote. “I love him as a boy, and I love him as a man. I hope he comes out of this and finds a different path.”
