Tennys Sandgren rips press over hurling players with Alexander Zverev trial questions



by DZEVAD MESIC

Tennys Sandgren rips press over hurling players with Alexander Zverev trial questions
© Getty Images Sport - Clive Brunskill

Tennys Sandgren blasted tennis media for continuously asking ATP players questions related to Alexander Zverev's upcoming abuse trial, suggesting that journalists should be asking the ATP officials questions if they want to make a real difference. 

On Monday, reports coming out of Germany revealed that Zverev would stand trial on May 31st over the physical abuse accusations made by his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Brenda Patea. After being accused of physical abuse in July, Zverev was handed a penalty order by a court in Berlin and ordered to pay a €450k fine. 

After the Zverev trial news came out on Monday, several ATP players were asked at the Australian Open to share their thoughts on the situation. In response to that particular question, pretty much every player claimed he was unaware of the situation or didn't really know much to be able to comment on it. 

"Why are the press asking players about domestic violence?" Sandgren asked on X.

"Like yes domestic violence is bad why the weird ‘got ya’ game? We are independent contractors bro go ask the ATP big wigs chill out."

Sandgren blasts the press for asking players about the Zverev trial 

After Ben Rothenberg reported that he was getting flooded with media requests to address Zverev being elected to the ATP Player Council while awaiting a trial, Sandgren reacted: "I can see the headline now, 'Atp players muzzled on domestic violence.' Or some other provocative headline, but with altruistic motives of course."

Tennys Sandgren
Tennys Sandgren© Getty Images Sport - Cameron Spencer
 

On Tuesday, Zverev kicked off his Australian Open campaign with a 4-6 6-3 7-6 (3) 6-3 win over Dominik Koepfer. 

Following his opening win at Melbourne Park, a reporter very directly asked Zverev if he felt it was "appropriate" for him to continue conducting his role on the ATP Player Council while awaiting a trial. Zverev's answer was pretty blunt as the German asked the reporter back: “Why would it not be?”

Tennys Sandgren Alexander Zverev