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Original poster

AIBU for feeling uncomfortable watching Zverev in the Wimbledon final?

135 replies

TiramisuForBreakfast · 12/07/2026 18:54

AIBU to not like watching a domestic abuser in the Wimbledon final? I have not heard one comment from the BBC about Zverev’s domestic abuse.

OP posts:
murasaki · 13/07/2026 11:07

gannett · 13/07/2026 11:03

Sinner also had the money to throw the best legal team possible at the case (he has more resources than the anti-doping body, certainly).

"Contamination" is a clever excuse because all he had to prove was that the substance could have got into his body via a different means to deliberately ingesting it. It's definitely true that his trainer could have used a cream that contained the banned substance, then transmitted it to Sinner via massage, without Sinner intentionally ingesting it. Legally, it means you can't prove beyond reasonable doubt that Sinner was doping.

Halep got a reduction in her doping ban for similar reasons.

But if you look at the facts of both cases, the circumstances leading to the contamination are really implausible. And in Sinner's case the speed with which his team had the contamination excuse ready almost seemed like it was prepared in advance - most cases of contamination take months of testing and retesting to determine where the contamination came from.

(Swiatek's ban was also reduced to virtually nothing due to contamination, but it was more plausible in her case as a different batch of the supplement she claimed was contaminated was also tested, and it was indeed found to be contaminated.)

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And yet Tara Moore, a much lower ranked mixed race player got 4 years with a much more convincing story. It was cut in the end but does show they treat the stars differently.

TallulahBetty · 13/07/2026 11:04

oviraptor21 · 12/07/2026 18:56

Not proven I guess is the reason why. The tennis podcasts reference it quite frequently but always caveated with alleged. I guess the BBC doesn't want to get into any legal suits.

Not proven, but he paid one of them off out of court.......

gannett · 13/07/2026 11:03

Monty36 · 13/07/2026 10:56

Money possibly.
Tennis is one of the worst sports for dope testing. Fewer out of tournament tests comparative to other sports. Very weak.
No sponsor would want their high profile player banned.

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Sinner also had the money to throw the best legal team possible at the case (he has more resources than the anti-doping body, certainly).

"Contamination" is a clever excuse because all he had to prove was that the substance could have got into his body via a different means to deliberately ingesting it. It's definitely true that his trainer could have used a cream that contained the banned substance, then transmitted it to Sinner via massage, without Sinner intentionally ingesting it. Legally, it means you can't prove beyond reasonable doubt that Sinner was doping.

Halep got a reduction in her doping ban for similar reasons.

But if you look at the facts of both cases, the circumstances leading to the contamination are really implausible. And in Sinner's case the speed with which his team had the contamination excuse ready almost seemed like it was prepared in advance - most cases of contamination take months of testing and retesting to determine where the contamination came from.

(Swiatek's ban was also reduced to virtually nothing due to contamination, but it was more plausible in her case as a different batch of the supplement she claimed was contaminated was also tested, and it was indeed found to be contaminated.)

thing47 · 13/07/2026 10:57

MrsKeats · 13/07/2026 10:34

He was fined by a Berlin court so..

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However the ex-girlfriend who received this payment amicably co-parents their joint daughter with Zverev. I think that puts things in a slightly different light

gannett · 13/07/2026 10:56

murasaki · 13/07/2026 10:47

I remember Jeff Tarango's wife slapping an umpire. It's the only thing he's remembered for.

She said afterwards that she did it because he'd be banned if he did 😂

Monty36 · 13/07/2026 10:56

XelaM · 12/07/2026 20:33

Absolutely no evidence was found against him by police!! False allegations by his ex.

What about the fact that Sinner was caught doping TWICE and never banned?!? What's that all about?!

Money possibly.
Tennis is one of the worst sports for dope testing. Fewer out of tournament tests comparative to other sports. Very weak.
No sponsor would want their high profile player banned.

murasaki · 13/07/2026 10:53

BadLad · 13/07/2026 10:50

That and an extraordinary meltdown on court when he stormed off. A day or two earlier her had been playing doubles against Henman when Henman and partner (Bates, I think) were disqualified when Henman whacked a ball in anger which hit a ball girl. Tarango got right on his high horse then had his own episode the next time he played.

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Definitely known for his epic meltdown rather than his tennis!

BadLad · 13/07/2026 10:50

murasaki · 13/07/2026 10:47

I remember Jeff Tarango's wife slapping an umpire. It's the only thing he's remembered for.

That and an extraordinary meltdown on court when he stormed off. A day or two earlier her had been playing doubles against Henman when Henman and partner (Bates, I think) were disqualified when Henman whacked a ball in anger which hit a ball girl. Tarango got right on his high horse then had his own episode the next time he played.

GoneWithTHeWindJammers · 13/07/2026 10:49

They could refuse to show Z's shots - that would be quite amusing.

murasaki · 13/07/2026 10:47

I remember Jeff Tarango's wife slapping an umpire. It's the only thing he's remembered for.

BadLad · 13/07/2026 10:37

Mariettta · 13/07/2026 09:57

Has anyone else been banned for actually hitting an umpire?

Closest I can recall is Nalbandian who actually kicked a line judge

MrsKeats · 13/07/2026 10:34

oviraptor21 · 12/07/2026 18:56

Not proven I guess is the reason why. The tennis podcasts reference it quite frequently but always caveated with alleged. I guess the BBC doesn't want to get into any legal suits.

He was fined by a Berlin court so..

HenriettaHippopotamus · 13/07/2026 10:30

XelaM · 13/07/2026 10:19

https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/seqqij/medvedev_absolutely_explodes_at_small_cat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1 Medvedev

https://youtube.com/shorts/SMT4ICswsIw?si=vRqLP0pKupVms33r Serena

As for player breaking their rackets in anger, that pretty much happens all the time 🤷‍♀️

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None of them are as threatening as Zverev. He’s literally hitting the racket at either side of the umpire’s chair as he sits in it.

gannett · 13/07/2026 10:28

XelaM · 13/07/2026 09:34

The vast majority of tennis players have anger issues on the court at one point or another.

What about Medvedev? Or even Serena? And many many more had major meltdowns at the umpires.

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The difference is obviously that Medvedev and Serena have not been accused of domestic abuse by multiple partners.

I am not sure what you are arguing? No one thinks that losing your temper on court means you're a domestic abuser. People merely think that if multiple women have accused you of violence, then a display of public violence is supporting evidence that they're telling the truth.

HenriettaHippopotamus · 13/07/2026 10:22

Mariettta · 13/07/2026 10:03

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.6361411

This link shows the Mexico violence.
I rest my case.

Wow never seen that before! That’s terrible!

Mariettta · 13/07/2026 10:03

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.6361411

This link shows the Mexico violence.
I rest my case.

Mariettta · 13/07/2026 09:57

Has anyone else been banned for actually hitting an umpire?

XelaM · 13/07/2026 09:34

Purplecatshopaholic · 13/07/2026 08:53

Yes this is true. We’ve all seen evidence of his temper on a tennis court. He’s a tall, powerful bloke with anger issues.

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The vast majority of tennis players have anger issues on the court at one point or another.

What about Medvedev? Or even Serena? And many many more had major meltdowns at the umpires.

Purplecatshopaholic · 13/07/2026 08:53

WhatAMarvelousTune · 12/07/2026 19:22

Even if you put aside unproven allegations, there’s still the time he was fined and kicked out of a tournament for very very aggressively repeatedly hitting the umpire chair (and nearly the umpire) with his racket because he didn’t like the calls.

I’ve always felt like what someone is willing to do on camera with a crowd watching is telling for what they might do behind closed doors.

Yes this is true. We’ve all seen evidence of his temper on a tennis court. He’s a tall, powerful bloke with anger issues.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 13/07/2026 06:15

I hadn't heard about it as I don't follow tennis. Thought he was a really boring player though, I hate power tennis.

XelaM · 13/07/2026 06:10

Of course he beats everyone if he dopes!

XelaM · 13/07/2026 06:09

Sinner's story about why he failed doping tests TWICE is about as believable as the Russian athletes' "I accidentally took my grandpa's medicine" but of course he doesn't get banned whereas many others do. 🙄 I will never support the cheat.

oviraptor21 · 13/07/2026 00:25

crikeymikey123 · 12/07/2026 22:45

Zverev has a weird vibe, very victim / manchild like, so i believe the women 100%

Hope you don't get called for jury service with this approach!

Happyjoe · 12/07/2026 23:09

I had no idea, and I was rooting for him. Bugger.