Alexander Zverev in fiery press conference as court case hangs overhead

Germany’s Alexander Zverev was put under the spotlight during his post-game press conference as he awaits trial over serious allegations.

A lot of attention on Tuesday night in Melbourne Park was focused on Germany’s Alexander Zverev and his opening round contest.

The sixth seed was going up against fellow countryman Dominik Koepfer, but the attention had nothing to do with the on-court battle … it instead involved his upcoming battle in the courts.

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Zverev is set to go on public trial in May over allegations he allegedly assaulted former partner Brenda Patea in 2020.

He has been “accused of physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin over three years ago.

The former world number two was ordered to pay fines of 450,000 euro ($A750,000) over the alleged assault in October. He contested the ruling which meant the case now goes to trial.

He has continually denied the allegations being levelled against him. The case against the tennis star will commence on May 31.

After securing the 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory against Koepfer, Zverev was put under the spotlight during his post-game press conference.

Journalists in attendance wasted no time asking about the upcoming trial, sparking an icy exchange with the unimpressed tennis star.

“Can I ask about the trial in Germany? Do you think it’s appropriate to continue on the ATP players council while that case is underway?” one journalist asked.

Zverev: “Why would it not be?”

Zverev was put on the spot.

“Well, there’s obviously a question mark about your judgment, and the court will decide,” the journalist continued.

Zverev: “There isn’t.”

“You have the confidence of your fellow players to continue in that role?” the journalist probed.

Zverev: “Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think so. Nobody has said anything to me. I don’t have a reason not to believe that.”

After giving that answer Zverev gave a brief look to the moderator, but the reporter wasn’t done and continued to question the German, telling him there were some who believed he shouldn’t be in that leadership position.

“There are some people around saying you shouldn’t be playing at all, let alone be in a leadership position. What are your thoughts about that?” the journalist asked.

With a quick lift of his right hand into the air, Zverev took a brief pause before responding with a stinging parting shot at the media industry.

“Like who? Journalists are saying that, some, who are actually interested more in this story to write about and more about the clicks than the actual truth,” he said.

Alexander Zverev in fiery AO presser

The German star was thrust into the spotlight after Netflix’s Break Point series used an entire episode focusing on him.

Former New York Times writer and author Ben Rothenberg was scathing of the decision, labelling it “genuinely shocking stuff”.

Rothenberg noted on Tuesday night how not a single tweet surrounding Zverev’s opening round was posted by the Australian Open account.

“Not a single tweet about Zverev’s match from the @AustralianOpen’s Twitter account tonight, which should show other orgs it can be done,” he wrote.

“Every Q Zverev got in English press was about whether it was appropriate to serve on the ATP player council while awaiting his criminal trial.”

Zverev is into the second round. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The allegations made by Ms Patea “which alone form the basis for the penalty order, have already been refuted by a forensic medical report”, Zverev’s lawyers said.

The model in 2021 gave birth to a daughter Mayla. She said Zverev is the father of the child. The pair had already split when Patea announced she was 20 weeks pregnant.

They dated for less than 12 months.

Patea confirmed in an Instagram post in July that she had applied for a penalty order against Zverev.

The ATP Tour in January closed an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse against Zverev involving a female tennis player after finding insufficient evidence.

They opened the probe into Zverev in October 2021 following allegations made by his former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova.

Zverev has continually professed his innocence over the claims.