CNN
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The ATP Tour introduced Tuesday that there will likely be no disciplinary motion taken in opposition to Alexander Zverev after an investigation discovered inadequate proof to substantiate revealed allegations of abuse.
In October 2021, the ATP, the governing physique for males’s skilled tennis, mentioned it was launching an investigation after home abuse allegations have been made by Zverev’s former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova.
The investigation was dealt with by The Lake Forest Group (LFG) with the ATP’s outdoors authorized counsel, Smith Hulsey & Busey, serving as an middleman.
“Following an exhaustive 15-month course of, LFG submitted its full report back to ATP,” an ATP launch states.
“Primarily based on an absence of dependable proof and eyewitness stories, along with conflicting statements by Sharypova, Zverev and different interviewees, the investigation was unable to substantiate the allegations of abuse, or decide that violations of ATP’s On-Web site Offenses or Participant Main Offenses guidelines passed off.
“Consequently, no disciplinary motion in opposition to Zverev will likely be taken by ATP. This willpower might nonetheless be reevaluated ought to new proof come to gentle, or ought to any authorized proceedings reveal violations of ATP guidelines. Zverev has constantly denied all allegations and supported ATP’s investigation.”
ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli mentioned: “The seriousness and complexity of those allegations required an especially thorough investigative course of and appreciable assets. It additionally required us to show to specialist investigators, which was new floor for ATP.
“We finally imagine the exhaustive course of was needed to succeed in an knowledgeable judgement. It has additionally proven the necessity for us to be extra responsive on safeguarding issues. It’s the cause we’ve taken steps in that path, with lots of necessary work nonetheless forward.”
In a press release launched on Tuesday, Zverev mentioned: “From the start, I’ve maintained my innocence and denied the baseless allegations made in opposition to me. I welcomed and absolutely cooperated with the ATP’s investigation and am grateful for the group’s time and a focus on this matter.
“This resolution marks a 3rd, impartial, third-party arbiter who has reviewed all related info and made a transparent and knowledgeable resolution on this matter in my favor. Along with the ATP’s unbiased investigation, I’ve additionally initiated court docket proceedings in Germany and Russia, each of which I’ve gained.”
He added: “I’m grateful that that is lastly resolved and my precedence now could be recovering from damage and concentrating on what I like most on this world – tennis. I wish to thank my mates, household and followers for his or her ongoing assist. We adopted the lengthy and troublesome course of and justice has prevailed.”
Sharypova has not but commented on the ATP ruling.