AIBU for feeling uncomfortable watching Zverev in the Wimbledon final?

[TiramisuForBreakfast]

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.

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.

I decided not to. Loved the men's doubles and womens singles yesterday, but domestic abuser (2 different women) v drug cheat with very dodgy short scheduled ban so he didn't miss the French open was not for me.

It's not really the BBC's job to comment on alleged offences like this.

I’ve written this twice on another thread, but I was really upset to discover that Andreas was playing for Norway last night. He was found guilty (and admitted) sharing child sexual abuse material. But then, look at boxing, multiple abusers still lauded. And that basketball player, Cobe Bryant, who people talk about with such admiration since he died and skip over the fact that he was a rapist. It seems that Brock Turners judge was right: if you’re good at sports, no one cares about the women and children you abuse.

I don’t like watching Zverev for that reason. However the first case was dropped and he settled the second by paying money but not accepting guilt. So it’s not proven in a court. So I guess the various broadcasters don’t want to mention it, understandably, in case of repercussions.

I love tennis but am not watching.

Two women allege non fatal strangulation, one women paid off and the judicial process evaded.

How did I not know this about Zverev?!
I was cheering him on as I knew about Sinner's drug allegations. I love tennis but this has marred it now.

I’ve just read up about him, he sounds absolutely vile.

Not sure the BBC can comment on aligatations though.

Also the attack on the umpire. There’s evidence right there of his temper and violent issues.

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.

Yanbu. The domestic violence may be unproven but there is clear proof of his violent nature. After a loss at the Mexican open, he repeatedly and violently struck the umpire's chair with his racket - trying to hit the umpire's legs. He was banned for a while.

I normally love watching tennis but I can’t bring myself to watch this final. I want both of them to lose. See also all the posts about what an amazing human being Cristiano Ronaldo is.

There are allegations, but no proof or conviction. We are all innocent until found guilty. He is allowed to play by tennis authorities. There is no reason not to watch him - of course, you might not like him, but that goes for any player.
There is one particular tennis journalist who constantly references this story, but he does it for clicks, quite frankly.
Even if any part of the allegations were true, they go back 6 or 7 years, so let's hope he has learnt from the experience.

IIRC, the drug allegations for Sinner came about for a cream his physiotherapist was treating to use a cut in his own hand. The amounts were very low.

I agree that the case got rushed through but I’m not sure you can hold Sinner accountable for that? The authorities wanted their poster boy playing.

I remember hearing Sinner talk last year after a match and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Well, as much as you can tell.

I’m not normally one to make excuses for drugs cheats but I think on this occasion it’s not quite as simple as it sounds.

Zverev different kettle of fish. Absolutely vile.

Mind you, tennis doesn’t seem to care about domestic violence. Nick Kyrgios - another player with a temper on the court - pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex partner. He was even given pundit/commentator’s roles…..

I had no idea, I will switch support to Sinner. Just wish Carlos was here really....don't tell me he's done something awful as well.

Everyone knows it’s innocent until proven guilty. No one is suggesting he be locked up, or even that he be banned from playing (although I personally think a harsher ban for umpire incident would have been good!). Just that they don’t like watching him.

Absolutely agree OP.

After years of trying I was successful in the Wimbledon ballot and the day we chose to attend i ended up not only watching Serena Williams in her come back match but also Zverev against Blockx. I'm not a Serena fan but I really wanted not to have to watch Zverev. I vocally supported Blockx throughout the game. I refused to applaud Zverev when he won.

I thought this article in the Independent was really interesting
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/alexander-zverev-allegations-domestic-abuse-settlement-girlfriend-b3013151.html

Throughout his career all the people in tennis have bent over backwards to indulge Zverev. It annoys me tremendously

I'd been enjoying the match and quietly admiring his diabetes control until I read this thread.......

That’s true legally but morally I choose to believe the women and since the pay off there’s been no evidence of behaviour change.

I didn't watch it either.
Can I just change the subject slightly though?
Was that Andre Agassi commentating the other day? Andre, you're lovely, but what a boring voice.. I almost nodded o.. zzz

Had already for no good reason decided to cheer on Sinner. Had no idea about the other bloke, never heard of him before this week, not a huge tennis fan! You can see his aggression: several times he didn’t like the umpire’s calls or a shot from Sinner and the way he turned to his team and shouted was surprising.

I understand why people might not cheer him on, but I doubt he cares!

I wonder if you’re my age-50s? My DH keeps going ‘But what about Andre Agassi?!’ when referencing Wimbledon. He’s a name we remember from back in the day. He was saying how he felt that him, John McEnroe etc were characters.

I agree, he’s monotonous as a commentator but I was spoilt forever more following Andrew Cotter’s lockdown episodes with Mabel and Olive!

I’m a big tennis fan. I have been very lucky to secure Wimbledon tickets a number of times. I will happily watch any and all matches. Singles, doubles, wheelchair, girls, boys, seniors. If it’s played, I’m watching.

I will not watch that man play. For the first time in about 35 years, I have chosen to not watch the men’s final.

I was cheering for Zverev as a fantastic example for those with type 1 diabetes (inspirational achievements, esp for those newly diagnosed). Also because he’s raising awareness of the challenges (eg he’s injecting on court and he is allowed a sim-free smartphone on court to manage his condition. A tangential point but this is a highly relevant example for those saying no child ever needs a smartphone in school).

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?!