The trial regarding allegations of domestic abuse involving Alexander Zverev has been postponed following a request from the German's legal team to have the complainant's testimony heard in private.

Zverev, ranked fourth in the world and currently competing in the French Open, was fined €450,000 last October after being accused of physically assaulting his former girlfriend. However, he has denied the accusations and contested the penalty order, resulting in a public trial.

The appeal proceedings commenced in Berlin, with Zverev's lawyer, Alfred Dierlamm, highlighting social media posts by the complainant shortly after the alleged incident, suggesting a positive relationship between the couple. Dierlamm also indicated that the criminal complaint, filed over a year later, stemmed from a dispute over custody and maintenance payments for their daughter.

The complainant's lawyer, Michael Nitschke, refuted claims that the trial was solely about financial matters.

The hearing was adjourned to allow the judge to deliberate on whether to exclude the public from the testimony of Zverev's ex-girlfriend scheduled for the following week. A decision is expected on Monday.

Zverev, who maintains his innocence until a final ruling, was not present at the hearing, as permitted by German law. Despite the ongoing trial, he continues his pursuit for a first Grand Slam title at the French Open, advancing to the third round without dropping a set.

The Tiergarten district court provided details of the case prior to the trial, stating that Zverev faces accusations of intentional bodily harm for allegedly choking his former partner in May 2020. The trial is anticipated to extend until mid-July, with proceedings scheduled for seven days.