Nikoloz Basilashvili secured a return to the world’s top 100 tennis rankings following a runner-up finish at the Almaty Open, setting up a match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Vienna Open, MARCA reported.
The Domestic Violence Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The turning point in Basilashvili’s career occurred on May 23, 2020, when Georgian authorities detained him following a domestic violence complaint filed by his ex-wife, Nelli Dorokashvili. The incident allegedly took place in the presence of a minor child.
According to the Georgian broadcaster Imedi, Basilashvili was subsequently released on a bail of 100,000 laris, equivalent to approximately $31,152. Under Georgian law at the time, the charges carried a potential sentence of 200 to 400 hours of community service or a prison term ranging from one to three years.
The legal process stretched across two years, during which Basilashvili struggled significantly on the professional tour. He endured a 14-match losing streak in opening rounds, causing his ranking to plummet to No. 1,086 in the ATP standings.
Acquittal and Return to the ATP Elite
In October 2022, a Georgian court declared Basilashvili not guilty of domestic violence following the two-year legal battle.
“I was always innocent, justice has triumphed,” Basilashvili stated at the time, when he was ranked No. 93 in the world.
Before his ranking dropped, Basilashvili reached a career-high of No. 16 in the world and captured five ATP singles titles. His run to the final at the ATP 250 event in Almaty last week marked his first sustained success back at the highest level, elevating him back inside the top 100 and leading to his matchup against Alcaraz in Vienna.
Worth a look
