Alexander Zverev plans endurance tests in December
Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev plans to take part in a few show tournaments in December on the way to his comeback after months of injury.
by SID
last edit: Nov 09, 2022, 04:28 pm
"He just needs a few matches before the big season," said his brother and manager Mischa Zverev in a Eurosport interview. The first endurance test is to take place in Saudi Arabia at the Diriyah Tennis Cup (December 8th to 10th).
"Training sets at home without an audience are just something different," emphasized Mischa Zverev: "That's why you have to be on the pitch against a top player, with ball boys and referees to feel the adrenaline again." His brother is currently "pain-free".
At the French Open in early June, Alexander Zverev (25) suffered multiple torn ligaments in his foot in the quarterfinals against eventual winner Rafael Nadal (Spain). Shortly before the planned return in September, a setback followed and with it the end of the season. Zverev, who fell out of the top 10 in the world rankings, is also absent from the Davis Cup final tournament in Malaga at the end of November.
Zverev in the United Cup with Niemeier and Maria?
His big goal is the Australian Open (from January 16), as a dress rehearsal Zverev plans with the United Cup, the newly introduced mixed team format, which will take place in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney at the end of December and beginning of January. 18 nations are playing for 15 million US dollars in prize money and world ranking points.
"Of course he can't miss that," said Mischa Zverev, who is also looking forward to the event. "Men and women will play together from now on. And we have a fantastic team, especially with the girls Jule Niemeier and Tatjana Maria," said the 35-year-old.