Alexander Zverev speech hijacked by protester during Australian Open title ceremony

Alexander Zverev's post-match speech after the Australian Open final speech was disrupted by a heckler.

The German tennis star was beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner in Melbourne on Sunday.

4 Zverev was heckled before his on-court speech

4 The German was beaten by Sinner in the Australian Open final Credit: Getty

Sinner claimed a second Australian Open title in a row with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over his opponent.

Zverev spoke to the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena during the trophy ceremony.

However, he was interrupted as he went to speak by a woman in the stands.

The heckler could be heard repeatedly shouting: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda!" during the silence before Zverev spoke.

Her remarks were in reference to two allegations of domestic abuse previously made against the world number two by his former partners Olya Sharapova and Brenda Pates.

Zverev has been publicly accused twice of violence, first in 2020 by Olga Sharypova (known as Olya) then in 2023 by Brenda Patea, who has a daughter with the world number two.

Sharypova did not press charges, and a 15-month investigation by the ATP concluded two years ago with no action taken because of insufficient evidence.

The Patea case did go to court and last June Zverev agreed to pay 200,000 euros (approximately Ł170,000) by way of a settlement. He strenuously denied both sets of claims.

Zverev could be seen looking up to the stands as the heckles were made before adjusting his microphone and speaking.

Once able to begin, he admitted: "It sucks standing next to this trophy.

4 A woman could be heard shouting 'Australia believes Olya and Brenda'

4 Zverev had been waiting to speak to the crowd during the trophy ceremony

"I was hoping to be more competitive but Jannik was just too good - as simple as that."

The 27-year-old later addressed the incident during his post-match press conference.

He was asked for his reaction to it and those who believe the accusations.

Jannik Sinner breaks Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal records to win Australian Open in demolition of Alexander Zverev

In response, Zverev explained: "There are no more accusations. There haven’t been for nine months now but, good for her.

"I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. So if that’s the case, good for her.

"I think I’ve done everything I can and I’m not about to open that subject up again."

Sunday's defeat was Zverev's third in the final of a Grand Slam following losses at last year's French Open and the 2020 US Open.

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