Djokovic backs development of domestic violence policy in tennis
Novak Djokovic backed the idea of tennis developing a domestic violence policy foll o wi n g a l l e g a t i o n s made against Alexander Zverev.
The German's season ended with a 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 4) loss to Djokovic at t he Nitto ATP Finals, sending the world No 1 through to a semi- final clash against US Open champion Dominic Thiem today.
Zverev has been competing under the considerable shadow of serious abuse claims made by his ex- girlfriend Olga Sharypova.
He strongly denies the allegations, which were made by the former junior player on Instagram and in two media interviews, but has not addressed them in any detail.
The ATP had b een c r i t i - cised for not making any public comment until last week, when it issued a generic statement saying it "fully condemns any form of violence or abuse".
Zverev is not the only tennis player to have faced similar allegations recently, with Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili in court last month to answer an assault charge against his ex- wife.
S everal major American sports have a policy setting out a procedure to be followed in such situations, and Djokovic believes tennis should go down the same route.
He said: "I've known Sascha ( Zverev) for a very long time since he was ver y young. I always had a great relationship with him, he's a very nice guy, I have a lot of respect for
him, his family. I was sad to hear that he's going through something like this.
"I don't know what hap - pened. Obviously I'm not supporting any kind of violence. Whether ATP should develop a policy? Yes, why not. Probably it should be there in place."
Tennis has l argely closed ranks around Zverev, with Australian Daria Gavrilova a notable exception in saying she believes Sharypova, and Djokovic has offered the
German his support. "He's been handling it well by the looks of his results in the last month and a half or so, he's been doing well considering he's got a lot on his plate off the court," said the world No 1. "I sincerely wish for him that he overcomes this soon and that he can focus on his life and tennis career."
Zverev agai n i mplied he would not be t aking l egal action - something Sharypova has also said - and, despite
the allegations and the coronavirus pandemic, declared it had been a "great year".
The 23- year- old said: "Unfort unately I l ost a l ot of big matches. I lost semi- finals in Australia, which I could have won. Lost the final of the US Open, which I should have won. Finals in Bercy ( the Paris Masters). This match here.
"The US Open match obviously still hurts, but all the other ones, it's great that I'm playing at this level again."
Djokovic's victory means the four top seeds have all reached the semi- finals for only the second time since 1990, with Rafael Nadal taking on Danii l Medvedev i n t h e o t he r last- four clash at London's O2 arena.
Djokovic, who is chasing a record- equalling sixth title, still was not at his best yesterday but played, and fought, a lot better than in his convincing loss to Medvedev on Wednesday.