Prior to his French Open semifinal match against Casper Ruud on Friday, tennis player Alexander Zverev reached a settlement in a physical abuse case involving his ex-girlfriend in Germany.

According to Reuters, Zverev agreed to pay his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Brenda Patea, €200,000 ($217,820) after she alleged that he physically abused her during an argument in 2020.

Zverev's lawyers released a statement on the matter, saying:

"The process against Alexander Zverev was shelved today by the court with the agreement of the prosecutor's office and Ms Brenda Patea. Alexander Zverev agreed to this ... in order to shorten the process especially in the interest of the child they have together. Alexander Zverev remains innocent."

Zverev has denied any wrongdoing, and by settling the case, he avoids the possibility of being found guilty.

Per ESPN's D'Arcy Maine, Patea alleged that Zverev pushed her against a wall and choked her during a disagreement.

In October 2023, a German criminal court levied a penalty order against Zverev and fined him €450,000 (about $488,000). Such a decision is made in German law when there is "compelling evidence to support the accusation and a trial is not deemed necessary," per Maine, but the defendant reserves the right to contest the decision, and Zverev did so.

When asked about the order by media at the Paris Masters in November, Zverev called it "complete bulls--t" and added, "Anybody that has a semi-standard IQ level knows what this is all about."

Former tennis player Olya Sharypova, who is also Zverev's ex-girlfriend, alleged in 2020 that Zverev physically abused her.

Sharypova said Zverev punched her in the face and smothered her with a pillow, causing her to fear for her life.

The ATP launched a 15-month investigation into the allegations, but in January 2023, it was announced that Zverev would not be punished due to insufficient evidence.

Zverev, 27, is the No. 4 men's tennis player in the world. He is a one-time Grand Slam finalist, having reached the U.S. Open final in 2020, but he is still seeking his first Grand Slam singles title.