Alexander Zverev Announces Split with Roger Federer’s Management Firm Amid Off-Court Controversies

While Alexander Zverev made huge strides on the tennis court during the 2020 season, things were tumultuous for him off the court. Zverev registered his best performance ever at the Australian Open by making the semifinals last year and then reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2020 US Open.

However, matters became grim off the field when Zverev’s former girlfriend, Olga Sharypova, accused him of domestic violence. Around the same time last year, Zverev came to know that another former girlfriend of his, Brenda Patea, was pregnant with his child.

To add to things, Zverev’s coach, David Ferrer, parted ways with him just a week ago, becoming the third former player after Ivan Lendl and Juan Carlos Ferrero to leave Zverev’s coaching team.

Decided to go back to the roots: Alexander Zverev

Recently, in an Instagram post, Zverev announced that after thinking hard over his strategy for the future, he has parted ways with TEAM8, Roger Federer’s management company. Considering the worldwide restrictions due to the pandemic, Zverev’s family will help him with on-court coaching. Zverev’s elder brother, Mischa Zverev, and Sergei Bubka will take over the management role for the tennis star.

“I reached my first Grand Slam final without my parents and brother being court-side due to them contracting COVID-19. An almost 2 year-long legal dispute with my former agent finally came to a successful resolution, so I have spent a lot of time thinking about my short and long term strategies going forward. For this reason and because of the ongoing worldwide restrictions, I have decided to go back to the roots and have my family help me with my coaching, as well as Mischa and Sergei Bubka with my management,” Zverev wrote.

Zverev thanked TEAM8 for their partnership, which began in the second half of 2019. However, the German believes it’s better to have his family by his side with the new season starting. He further wrote, “I want to thank TEAM8 for the great work and tremendous experience, but we both feel that it’s the right decision to have my family take on a bigger role once again.”

The World No. 7 will lead team Germany at the upcoming ATP Cup, which begins just a week before the Australian Open. Zverev landed in the Victorian capital a couple of days back and will quarantine for two weeks as per the health protocols.