Alexander Zverev still finds physical deficits in himself
Alexander Zverev 's first appearance at the United Cup in Sydney against Jiri Lehecka ended in defeat. After that, the native of Hamburg gave a little insight into his current sensitivities.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Dec 31, 2022, 02:08 pm
It's not as if Alexander Zverev has always started his seasons with winning streaks in the ATP Cup in recent years. No, there were ups and downs - and a defeat like that against Jiri Lehecka at the start of the United Cup match against the Czech Republic on Saturday would have been possible in normal years. But 2023 will not be a normal year for the German number one. Not after the long break after the accident in Roland Garros.
"It felt ok," Zverev explained after his defeat against Lehecka in Sydney. "But I think my tennis is far from the level I would like it to be. But that's normal after a seven-month break. A few things are different otherwise. I think I got tired more quickly than usual today. But that obviously happens when you're not playing."
Zverev only pain-free since Saudi Arabia
Before his second game in the newly created team competition against Taylor Fritz, Zverev now has at least one rest day in singles. "Am I worried? Probably not. Physically, I'm not where I need to be. There is absolutely no question about that. I get tired faster than before. And I'm not as fast as before."
Which, however, has something to do with the preparation, which didn't go so smoothly after all. "To be honest I've only been pain free for two or three weeks, actually since Saudi Arabia. Before that I was in pain and I couldn't do a lot of different things that I wanted to do. It will not be a matter of tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. It's just a couple of weeks before I'm back at my desired level."