'I hope it happens everywhere': Australian Open heckler who protested against Alexander Zverev speaks out
The fan who protested against Alexander Zverev after the Australian Open men's final says she wanted the tennis star to "sit in his own discomfort".
Moments after Zverev's loss in the Australian Open final Sunday, a woman inside Rod Laver Arena yelled out the names of two of the tennis star's ex-girlfriends - Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea - who have accused him of physical abuse in the past, saying "Australia believes" them. Zverev has denied the allegations and a case involving Patea last year was settled out of court with no admission of guilt.
"Australia believes Olga and Brenda! Australia believes Olga and Brenda! Australia believes Olga and Brenda!," she yelled.
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As Zverev stood at a microphone waiting to speak during the trophy ceremony, the woman repeated the phrase three times. Some others in the crowd at Rod Laver Arena booed and whistled.
She was led out of the arena by security and briefly detained by police, but not charged with anything.
Speaking to tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg, the woman - who was referred to as "Nina" - described herself as a "genuine fan" of the game but not the "apathy" shown to important issues like domestic violence.
"I've been pretty livid ever since that Sascha has been able to go about his business and be celebrated and cheered on world stages," Nina said.
"Part of me has wondered whether that's because the majority of people truly don't care about victims' voices and well-being."
Zverev speaks after losing the Open final. Getty
Nina said domestic violence is personal to her and her family and felt she had to stand up and show her support for the victims.
"I was a massive fan of Jelena Dokic growing up—and still am," she said. "Her father, unfortunately, reminds me strongly of my own.
"I have read her books and watched her documentary. People lamenting 'We didn't know, we didn't realise we had to intervene' has always infuriated me.
"From my own experience, many people know about DV, even when it's hushed up. The culture of silence protects men. It protected my father from ever facing any consequences."
The tennis fan said her call out was premeditated and was not something that happened in the moment.
Nina said she consulted her sisters about her plan to call out the tennis star, and strategically moved herself to a position once the match was over, for maximum affect.
"I was sitting on his player's box end of the court" she said.
"All night, people were cheering 'Sascha! Sascha! Sascha!' It was gross. He may try to bully people—ATP, journos, whomever—into quashing the story. But I wanted him to know that tennis fans know and we care about those women. And we f---ing believe them.
"Nina" seen protesting after the men's final. Getty
"I decided at match point I'd come down to the Melbourne sign end, 'cause I know where the media seats are. I wanted to be close enough to you all to hopefully hear me," she said. "And I wanted Olya's and Brenda's names to be heard in that arena.
"I knew all day I was going to do or say something," she added. "I knew there would be a moment before he spoke that it would quieten."
Just before he approached the microphone and silence hit Rod Laver Arena, Nina seized the moment.
"I wanted Brenda and Olga and DV survivors to know they're not forgotten, even when their abusers are celebrated on a world stage" she said.
"I wanted Sascha to sit in his own discomfort, [to know] that we will not forget, even if he wants to brush it aside. And as an Eastern European woman who grew up in an abusive environment supported by the power of silence in 'household matters', I wanted my voice to be heard."
At his news conference following the match, Zverev was asked for his reaction to the interruption on court.
"I believe there are no more accusations," Zverev responded. "There haven't been for — what? — nine months now. ... I think I've done everything I can, and I'm not about to open that subject again."
On the day that Zverev reached the Roland-Garros final last June, word emerged from Berlin that a district court there ended a trial stemming from Sharypova's accusation of domestic violence during a 2020 argument.
The resolution came with the agreement of state prosecutors and lawyers for Zverev and his former partner.
Zverev previously denied an assault allegation made by Patea. That accusation prompted the men's professional tennis tour to investigate her claims; the ATP said in January 2023 that there was insufficient evidence.
"I'm thrilled that Olga and Brenda's stories are being recapped by media, and highlighted by other media for the very first time," Nina said.
"I'm surprised at the impact. This was never about attention for myself. I'm grateful for the friends and family showing me support; they've shared with me some positive comments online, and I'm glad to see it. I hope Olga and Brenda experience and witness the same positivity."
However, Nina was nonplussed by Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley's comments about the incident.
Speaking to Melbourne Radio station 3AW this week, Tiley said the fan's message to Zverev "ruined" the moment for everyone else involved.
"My immediate reaction is: Who have I ruined the event for? Australians are known for being vocal at sporting events. I said five words; not one word was offensive. The five words were positive, in their support for victims."
Nina said an "elitism factor" exists in tennis and that's why topics such as domestic violence are often silenced.
She hopes her actions give others courage to do the same.
"I hope it happens everywhere," Nina said of the disruption. "I believe Olga, I believe Brenda, and I sincerely hope that man doesn't have a moment's peace. [Or] at the very least, I hope he doesn't continue to enjoy rapturous applause and support everywhere he plays."
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
