Roger Federer weighs in on domestic violence allegations
Roger Federer has weighed in on allegations of domestic abuse leveled at tennis star Alexander Zverev, saying the ATP should not get involved in players' private lives.
Zverev's ex-girlfriend Olya Sharypova alleged last year the world No. 7 had been abusive towards her - accusations the athlete strongly denied, saying they are "unfounded" and "simply not true".
Earlier this year, Zverev left Team8 - the sports management company Federer co-founded with long-time agent Tony Godsick. The 23-year-old said he was leaving Federer's stable so he could "go back to the roots" and have his family take on an increased role in his career.
Speaking to Federer before his first-round match in Geneva, journalist Ben Rothenberg asked whether the split had anything to do with The allegations against Zverev.
“These are decisions that Tony takes, and the team,” Federer said. “Look, Sascha (Zverev) is a great guy. I’m really happy for him when he does well. But I don’t get involved in those types of decisions, to be honest.
“For me, this is something that is anyway in the past now, and I think for Sascha it’s important to have his team and be comfortable with his team.
“What I’ve always wanted to make sure is that regardless of whoever was at the company … I feel like the agency shouldn’t be in the way of your stuff, of your thing, of your life.
“All of the allegations, that’s super private stuff that I really don’t want to comment.”
The ATP — tennis’ governing body for the men’s tour — has taken no action against Zverev and has not launched any investigation, but did release a statement condemning “any form of violence or abuse”.
When asked whether the ATP should be more involved in the matter by pursuing its own formal investigation, Federer said it was hard for the governing body to exert jurisdiction because tennis players are “independent contractors”, rather than athletes employed by a specific league.
It was clearly a topic that made Federer uncomfortable, saying he didn’t want to speak about it.
“We’re independent contractors, so it’s maybe more complicated than other (leagues),” Federer said.
“I feel like this is something very personal, and I guess when you’re employed at a club or in a league it’s something very different, because then you get a salary from there.
“Of course there needs to be a certain code, like they have on the court, but that one’s also gotten more and more strict over the years. So now you want to move over into the private life as well? I feel like for that we have other sets of rules, governments and all that stuff.
“I don’t know that I want to talk about it to be honest. I don’t want to bring this subject up.
“I feel like I want Sascha to focus on his tennis and who am I now, months later, to comment on it?
“I don’t feel super comfortable talking about it.”