'Not who I am': Tennis star opens up on domestic abuse allegations

Alexander Zverev has apologised for the domestic violence allegations made against him bringing negative attention to tennis but he continues to be adamant that the picture painted by his ex-girlfriend is "not who I am".

Former junior player Olga Sharypova made the accusations on Instagram two weeks ago before going into detail in two media interviews.

WOW: Tomic's new romance with former Love Island contestant

‘CRUNCH TIME’: Australian Open facing billion-dollar blow

During the second one, with Racquet magazine, she alleged the abuse drove her to attempt suicide.

Zverev, who also found out recently that he is expecting a baby with another former partner, put out a short statement on Instagram to deny Sharypova's claims but had refused to provide any further answers to questions on the subject.

Zverevn denies accusations

He changed that stance at his press conference ahead of the ATP Finals in London, saying: "Many people have asked me why I kept my mouth shut, why I didn't say anything.

"While I very much regret that those accusations are made, I have to stick to my initial thing of them being untrue and continue to deny them.

"These accusations are just unfounded and untrue. We had our ups and downs but the way our relationship is described in the public is not how it was. That's not who I am, that's not how I was raised by my parents.

"It makes me sad the impact that such false accusations can have: on the sport, on the outside word, on myself as well. I truly apologise that the focus has shifted away from the sport."

Zverev will play his first match at the O2 Arena on Monday against Daniil Medvedev, with play beginning on Sunday behind closed doors.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.