'AUSTRALIA BELIEVES OLYA AND BRENDA': HECKLER SHUT DOWN BY ZVEREV AMID ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

Ugly scenes unfolded as Alexander Zverev stood on stage to collect his runner-up trophy, heckled by one woman amid links to domestic abuse allegations.

Zverev was ousted by world No.1 Jannik Sinner in straight-sets, with a freakish net cord helping the Italian clinch the second set tiebreak and run away with the match.

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The pain didn't end there for the 27-year-old, as he was reminded of his domestic abuse allegations by one spectator, causing an awkward pause before Zverev was about to address the stadium.

"Australia believes Olya and Brenda" were the words echoed across Rod Laver Arena multiple times before security escorted her out.

It was in reference to Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea, Zverev's former partners who put forward the accusations.

In 2019, Sharypova revealed that Zverev repeatedly abused her in New York, Shanghai, Monaco and Geneva.

A public trial was held in May last year, reaching an out-of-court settlement.

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has been following the story closely, mentioning that a section of fans will be "left waiting to exhale" watching Zverev partake in the final.

Zverev was clear in his response when asked about the heckler's comments post-match, quickly shutting down the question.

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

"I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that’s the case, good for her.

"I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again."

It wasn't to be third time lucky for the world No.2, who has now extended his unfavourable Grand Slam final record to 0-3.

Although confessing that Sinner is playing at a similar level to that of Novak Djokovic when the Serbian was in his prime, Zverev won't let another setback deter him.

"I’m doing everything I can. I’m working as hard as I ever did. I think I’m doing all the right things off-court," said Zverev.

"I think I’m practising the right things, but I lost in straight sets today. I mean, those are facts. That is a fact. I lost to Jannik in straight sets today.

"I don’t want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a Grand Slam, that’s for sure. I’ll keep doing everything I can to lift one of those trophies."

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