Zverev trial ends without verdict in exchange for payment of fine

A Berlin trial against Alexander Zverev on assault charges ended without a verdict on Friday, just hours ahead of his French Open semi-final match.

The district court closed the trial after all parties agreed on a monetary fine of €200,000 ($218,000) for the Olympic tennis champion from Germany.

The payment is no admission of guilt and the presumption of innocence remains.

Zverev, 27, had appealed against a €450,000 penalty order on domestic abuse charges, which was issued without trial.

According to the indictment, based on the statements of Zverev's ex-girlfriend, the player allegedly assaulted her during an argument in May 2020 in a Berlin flat.

The trial started on May 31 and was originally to go over 10 days until July 19.

It now ended after three days as prosecutors and the defence teams of Zverev and of his ex-girlfriend as joint plaintiff reached an agreement.

Zverev protested his innocence throughout the case and said at the French Open the legal proceedings were not affecting his game.

He faces Norway's Casper Ruud in the semi-finals at Roland Garros later on Friday.