Zverev's French Open triumph receives muted reception in France due to off-court issues

PARIS (AP) — Alexander Zverev’s victory at the French Open did not dominate the headlines in France on Monday as is normally expected for the men’s singles champion.

Most noticeably, his win was reduced to a minor mention on the front page of sports daily L’Equipe, the country’s main sports newspaper, which published an editorial highlighting accusations of domestic violence that the German player has faced.

Zverev won his first major title on Sunday in Paris when he defeated Flavio Cobolli in five sets.

L'Equipe instead dedicated its front page to the handball team of Metz, which became the first French club to lift the Champions League women's trophy. There was just a small picture of Zverev on the top left corner of the main page, with the headline “Zverev, major at last.”

In addition to its coverage of the final, L'Equipe published an op-ed headlined “To live with" that focused on past accusations against Zverev. Two years ago, he settled a domestic abuse case after reaching an out-of-court settlement with his former partner, who accused him of assaulting her.

A district court in Berlin ended the trial after an agreement between state prosecutors and lawyers for Zverev and his former partner Brenda Patea. Zverev agreed to pay fines of 150,000 euros ($162,000) to the state and 50,000 euros ($54,000) to charitable organizations.

Zverev previously denied an assault allegation made by another woman. Those accusations were investigated by the ATP, but it said in January 2023 that there was insufficient evidence.

“The context complicates the reception of his success,” L'Equipe wrote. “Under German law, the payment of this sum does not constitute an admission of guilt. The proceedings concluded without any entry on his criminal record. He remains presumed innocent in a case that the courts will no longer adjudicate. Everyone will have to live with that. Her, him, you, us.”

The newspaper told the Associated Press that the decision not to feature Zverev as its main front page headline was primarily linked to the abundance of major sporting events over the weekend, including Formula 1's Monaco Grand Prix and the latest developments in cycling ahead of the Tour de France, as well as the fact that a French club won the handball European Cup.

Later, L’Equipe said Zverev interrupted when it was put to him during an interview on Monday that the subject of the accusations had been a subject of media discussion.

Zverev reportedly responded by saying: “Wait, first of all, it isn’t that kind of interview. Secondly, you know it has been proven that the accusations were false?”

He also added: “I’ve done everything I could do, and my innocence has been proven.”

L’Equipe then asked Zverev what his program will be in the coming weeks, to which L'Equipe said he replied: “I don’t know. I think we should stop (the interview), it's better."

On Sunday, L’Equipe had likewise not devoted its front page to Russian player Mirra Andreeva’s victory in the women’s singles final, rather focusing on cycling’s new French star Paul Seixas.

Last year, the newspaper's front page featured a full-page photo of Carlos Alcaraz hugging Jannik Sinner after their epic five-set men's final, widely considered one of the best French Open matches ever. A photo of Coco Gauff after her win over Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final dominated the front page the previous day.

Zverev became just the third German man in the professional era (since 1968) to win a major title and first since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.

In Germany, the Bild tabloid had a picture of Zverev with the trophy headlined “Alexander The Great,” but it was just one of a few different stories on the front page and noticeably alongside some World Cup team news. German chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Zverev for his “magnificent victory.”

“This outstanding performance," Merz wrote on social media, "has inspired and thrilled an entire nation."

James Ellingworth in Dusseldorf, Germany, contributed to this report.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Ballboys and ballgirls react as Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's final match against Flavio Cobolli of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Winner Alexander Zverev of Germany, left, and second placed Flavio Cobolli of Italy hug after their men's final match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates after winning the men's final match against Flavio Cobolli of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning the final tennis match against Italy's Flavio Cobolli at the French Open in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after winning the final tennis match against Italy's Flavio Cobolli at the French Open in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman was ejected early in the team’s game against Edmonton on Saturday for a knee-on-knee hit that injured Oilers wing Isaac Howard.

Heineman’s outstretched left knee made contact with Howard’s just over two minutes in. Howard remained on the ice in pain and, after getting visited by a trainer, did not put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off to the bench and down the tunnel.

Officials assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing, reviewed the play on video and upheld that call with a game misconduct for Heineman, who threw his stick as he exited.

Goaltender Ilya Sorokin made three saves as the Islanders killed off the entire Edmonton power play.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Edmonton Oilers' Isaac Howard (53) is assisted off the ice after an apparent injury during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Edmonton Oilers' Isaac Howard (53) is attended to after an apparent injury during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)