Alexander Zverev has opened up about the domestic violence allegations he is facing, apologising for the negative attention it has brought to tennis and insisting 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. 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.

“Of course in an event like this one I think tennis needs to keep moving, but at the same time it’s not fair to finish here in London without crowds. But that’s the thing that is happening today in this world.

“Just congratulate London for this amazing 11, 12 years that we have been playing here and I expect to have another great event in Turin.”

The coronavirus pandemic has meant a very different experience for the players, who usually stay at a central London hotel and travel to the O2 by boat.

This time their hotel is close to the arena and they are not even allowed to walk between the two.

“We are very lucky to keep playing our sport,” said Nadal, who is making another attempt to win the biggest title still missing from his CV.

“That’s the only thing that I can say. I can’t be negative. Of course it will be sad, especially playing with no crowd in this amazing stadium.”

Novak Djokovic, who opens his campaign against debutant Diego Schwartzman, is the top seed having guaranteed he will finish a season ranked world number one for the sixth time.

He is hoping to equal Roger Federer’s record by winning a sixth ATP Finals title, and said: “Coming into the tournament and knowing I clinched the year-end number one, for sure it releases some of the pressure but at the same time it doesn’t change what I hope to achieve in this tournament and why I’m here.

“I really want to win every single match that I get to play and try to get my hands on the trophy. I’m really hoping that I can end the season in the best possible way. The success that I had previously here helps me feel more confident.”

Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski saw their hopes of qualifying for the doubles field end despite reaching the Sofia Open final.

By matching Murray and Skupski on Friday, Austrian Jurgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France clinched the final spot.