Davis Cup: Alexander Zverev - "Best match after injury"
Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was delighted with his next step on the way back to old class.
by SID
last edit: Feb 04, 2023, 10:17 am
"That was by far my best match since the injury," said the 25-year-old after the convincing 6: 4, 6: 1 against Stan Wawrinka in the Davis Cup duel between the German team and Switzerland in Trier.
"I'm happy that I'm making further progress with my performance and of course that it's 1-1," said Zverev. Before his match against the three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka, Oscar Otte lost in three sets against Marc-Andrea Hüsler and put the Hamburg player under some pressure.
As Zverev emphasized, after his serious foot injury last year and the second round at the Australian Open a good two weeks ago, he is getting better and better: "It's good that I'm at this point now," he said, but warned also patience: "Of course I'm not ready to win a Grand Slam tomorrow. I want to play my best tennis again at the latest at the beginning of the clay court season."
Zverev happy about Becker's return
Zverev also praised the atmosphere in the Trier hall, where the team was supported by 4,000 fans on Friday evening: "That only exists in the Davis Cup, you don't get that kind of atmosphere in other tournaments. Of course, a full stadium always helps."
The 2020 US Open finalist was also happy about the presence of tennis legend Boris Becker, who is again in discussion for a role with the German Tennis Association (DTB) and supported Zverev and Otte from the players' bench: "It's always nice to see him, we have a very good relationship," said Zverev.
The German team continues to fight for qualification for the Davis Cup group stage in September on Saturday. Three wins are required to advance. It starts at 1 p.m. (sportbild.de/tennischannel.com) with the doubles before two more singles are on the program.