Alexander Zverev pushed and strangled partner, German court told

Tennis star’s defence tells Berlin court claims are ‘unfounded’.

Germany's Alexander Zverev clenches his fist after scoring a point against Spain's Rafael Nadal. Pic: Jean-Francois Badias, AP

A Berlin court has begun hearing an appeal by the German tennis player Alexander Zverev against a fine imposed on him for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, an accusation which he denies.

As the world No 4 competes at the French Open in Paris, his lawyers are fighting his case in court, after he was fined €450,000 (£384,000, $489,000) in October for allegedly trying to strangle Brenda Patea, his then partner and the mother of his three-year-old daughter, Mayla.