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The ATP had faced increasing criticism for failing to look into
the allegations until the men's tennis governing body announced
on Monday it was conducting an investigation.
The Olympic gold medallist has repeatedly denied the allegations
and now hopes an ATP investigation will clear his name.
"Bloody (time) finally to be honest," said Zverev, during his
news conference ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
"I have been asking them myself for months now.
"I have been asking them to do that since London last year
because it is very hard for me to clear my name.
"Only with something like this I can.
"It has been around for a year and there is not much more I can
do to clear my name and I hope this will finally do it."
The 24-year-old has "categorically and unequivocally" denied
having abused Sharypova and said on Aug. 27 that his lawyers had
initiated legal action against the author of the allegations.
Slate issued a statement saying it stood by its "fair and
accurate reporting".
"I have been in court in Germany which I won the case against
the author and the publications which the author is ignoring
right now," said Zverev. "I have proven I am innocent in a lot
of different ways.
"I think with this investigation that is now finally happening I
hope this can be done and dusted from a third individual party
and we can move on with everything else."
Zverev said the entire affair has not only been a distraction
for him but the entire sport.
On the court, however, Zverev has managed to remain focused and
is enjoying one of the best seasons of his young career, winning
an Olympic gold medal and two Masters Series events.
"Andy Murray said it very well last week in San Diego, when
stars of the game they win tennis matches, they win big matches
you want to talk about that," said Zverev, who also reached the
semi-finals of both the French and U.S. Opens this year.
"I have had one of the most incredible seasons a young guy has
had in the last probably 10 years winning the Olympics, winning
two Masters Series, winning four tournaments and that is kind of
forgotten a little bit.
"Once this situation is over, once it is done, we can go back to
how it was."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Toby Davis)
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