Daria Gavrilova rips Alexander Zverev over domestic violence claims

Daria Gavrilova has expanded upon why she has thrown her support behind Olga Sharypova, the former girlfriend of Alexander Zverev who recently made serious allegations of domestic violence against the German tennis superstar.

The 23-year-old's former girlfriend Sharypova recently alleged that Zverev tried to "strangle" her before last year's US Open.

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Sharypova also revealed that she tried to commit suicide after claiming Zverev physically assaulted her in a hotel room in Geneva.

Zverev is adamant that the claims made against him were "unfounded" and made him "very sad".

While the tennis world continues to grapple with the serious allegations levelled against one of the sport’s rising stars, Gavrilova unequivocally backed Sharypova when she first brought the accusations to light.

Taking to Twitter, Gavrilova said ‘Good on Olga for opening up. It would have been pretty scary!’.

“I just hope that she can handle all the negativity and what’s to come next. #ibelieveOlya #WhyIStayed except #whySheStayed #stopviolenceagainstwomen,” the Australian player wrote.

Gavrilova recently gave an interview for the Jules on the Hustle podcast, which is hosted by fellow pro Julia Elbaba.’

The 26-year-old said, as someone who had known Zverev for a long time, she was disappointed in his response to the accusations, and had wanted to show support for Sharypova out of fears her allegations would lead to vicious personal rumours.

“I just was a bit scared for her that everyone would attack her for coming out and telling the story publicly,” Gavrilova said.

“I made all these hashtags — ‘I believe her’ — because I think you have to believe a woman.

“I thought she needs someone to support her and I thought I haven’t seen anyone say anything.”

Daria Gavrilova critical of Alexander Zverev’s response to allegations

Gavrilova said while she wasn’t on unfriendly terms with Zverev, she was nonetheless disappointed in his response to Sharypova’s accusations.

“I really hope that the two of us will find a way to deal with each other again in a reasonable and respectful way,” she said.

“I love Sasha, when I saw his statement I was like, ‘C’mon, you’re better than that’.

“I don’t like to get involved but I guess I already did and I just hope she can have the strength — she’s going to have a lot of negativity so I hope she’s strong enough.”

Zverev issued another defiant response to the disturbing saga after his 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the Paris Masters final.

"I know that right now there are a lot of people who will be trying to wipe a smile off my face, but I'm still smiling under this mask," Zverev said.

"Everything's great on the court and off the court. Everything is great in my life, I'm going to be a father soon...

"Those who are trying (to wipe a smile off his face) can keep trying but I'm still smiling, you just can't see under the mask."

Sharypova did not initially name Zverev in her Instagram post about the alleged abuse, but later confirmed to Russian media that she was referring to her fellow 23-year-old.

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