Why Aussie tennis star Daria Gavrilova supported Alexander Zverev’s ex-girlfriend after shocking allegations
Australian tennis player Daria Gavrilova has been one of the lone voices supporting Alexander Zverev’s ex-girlfriend. This is why.
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Aussie tennis star Daria Gavrilova has opened up on why she voiced her support for the ex-girlfriend of Alexander Zverev, who recently went public with accusations of domestic abuse against the German.
Olga Sharypova recently alleged Zverev, the world No. 7, had tried to strangle, choke and hit her when the pair were dating.
Zverev has denied the allegations, releasing a statement in which he labelled them “unfounded” and “simply not true”.
Few in the tennis world reacted publicly to the bombshell claims but Gavrilova took it upon herself to speak up.
“Good on Olga for opening up. It would have been pretty scary!” Gavrilova tweeted.
“I just hope that she can handle all the negativity and what’s to come next. #ibelieveOlya #WhyIStayed except #whySheStayed #stopviolenceagainstwomen.”
Speaking to fellow tennis player Julia Elbaba on the Jules on the Hustle podcast, Gavrilova elaborated on why she felt compelled to weigh in.
“I just was a bit scared for her (Sharypova) 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.
“So many times, I don’t know, males don’t get away with it but people blame the victim. They say she’s after his money but you know, how can you make up a story like that?
“I thought she needs someone to support her and I thought I haven’t seen anyone say anything.”
Gavrilova, 26, is “friendly” with Zverev but was not impressed with his response to the allegations, where he said: “We had a relationship, but it ended a long time ago. Why Olga is making these accusations now, I just don’t know.
“I really hope that the two of us will find a way to deal with each other again in a reasonable and respectful way.”
Gavrilova admits she normally doesn’t dive into these situations but felt compelled to stand alongside Sharypova in solidarity.
“I love Sasha (Zverev) and … when I saw his statement I was like, ‘C’mon, you’re better than that’,” Gavrilova told Elbaba.
“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.”
Gavrilova added: “It’s hard for him, hard for her and hopefully they can work it out.
“I normally don’t get involved in this but I really wanted to voice my opinion that you’ve got to believe the females and not just brush it off and say she’s after his money.
“What is that? That’s just stupid.”
The ATP has not commented on the allegations, which Zverev alluded to after losing the final of the Paris Masters to Daniil Medvedev on Monday morning.
Amid the storm in his personal life, Zverev maintained he was still happy.
“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 post-match.
“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.”
Last week Zverev said for a second time Sharypova’s claims were false.
“I’m enjoying my time on court. I have said everything. They are not true, and there is nothing more I can say right now,” he said on Thursday.
Originally published as Why Aussie tennis star Daria Gavrilova supported Alexander Zverev’s ex-girlfriend after shocking allegations