Alexander Zverev reacts to protester who interrupted Australian Open trophy ceremony

Alexander Zverev had a surprising message for the protester who brought the Australian Open trophy presentation to a standstill.

As Alexander Zverev prepared to give his runner-up speech at the Australian Open on Sunday night, a heckler in the crowd brought the trophy presentation to a standstill.

A woman yelled out “Australia believes Olga and Brenda” repeatedly before she was escorted out of Rod Laver Arena.

Zverev’s former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, have previously accused the German tennis star of domestic abuse. He has denied the allegations.

A case involving Zverev and Patea settled out of court in June last year with no admission of guilt.

The 27-year-old stood in silence and made no mention of the interruption when he took the microphone, but he was forced to react to the moment when the protest was brought up during his post-match press conference.

“I believe there have been no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now,” he said.

A protester shouts about domestic violence allegations during the trophy ceremony. Picture: Martin Keep / AFP

“Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that’s the case, good for her,” he continued.

The crowd overwhelming booed the protester, but there were some cheers.

He added: “I think I’ve done everything I can, I’m not about to open that subject again.”

Alexander Zverev was forced to address the interruption in his post-match press conference. Picture Australian Open YouTube

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 for his second Australian Open title on Saturday night.

Zverev said he believed he had served better, but Sinner was better at “everything else”.

“At the end of the day, tennis has five or six massive factors and he does four or five of them better than me,” he said.

“That’s the reason he won. He deserved to win today.”

The world No. 2 is determined to not finish his career without adding a slam trophy to his cabinet.

“I don’t want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a grand slam,” he said following the loss.

Sinner said there was “no other player who deserves a grand slam more”.

Originally published as Alexander Zverev reacts to protester who interrupted Australian Open trophy ceremony