The woman who protested against Alexander Zverev after the Australian Open final has shed light on her actions as she revealed that she has been "livid" with the German ever since he was first accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend Olya Sharypova.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the world No. 2 was preparing to give his speech during the trophy ceremony and the arena was pretty quiet, the protester - who has now been revealed as Nina - three times shouted: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda."
Ben Rothenberg caught up with the person in question and asked what prompted her actions.
At the start of the convo, Nina explained that she has been a regular at the Australian Open for years and after Zverev made the final, she wanted to do something that would make it clear she wasn't on his side.
After consulting with those close to her, she figured out that the best shot at her being heard would be just before the German's speech.
Also, she wanted to be close to the media seats so they could clearly hear her and report about it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nina: It was gross to hear the Zverev chants... I wanted him to sit in his own discomfort
I was sitting on his players box end of the court. All night, people were cheering Sascha! Sascha! Sascha! It was gross. He may try to bully peopleATP, journos, whomeverinto quashing the story," the protester told Bounces.
"But I wanted him to know that tennis fans know and we care about those women. And we believe them.
After delivering her message twice, Nina noticed that Zverev was looking in her direction and that's when she decided to repeat it one more time.
I wanted Brenda and Olya and DV survivors to know theyre not forgotten, even when their abusers are celebrated on a world stage," she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
I wanted Sascha to sit in his own discomfort, [to know] that we will not forget, even if he wants to brush it aside."
In the interview, the woman also revealed that she was met by security staff - who told her she couldn't leave until the police arrived - and after speaking with the authorities, she was escorted out of the site but didn't get arrested.
