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In order to recover from health difficulties, Alexander Zverev is ending his season after the ATP Finals. The tennis champion will be missing from the German team at the Davis Cup.
Malaga – The German Davis Cup team will have to do without Alexander Zverev at the finals in Malaga. The 2021 Olympic tennis champion has decided not to take part in the tournament at the end of November in order to recover from a demanding season. Zverev, who has struggled with a knee injury and diagnosed pneumonia in recent months, is forced to make this “difficult decision”.
German tennis superstar Zverev makes “difficult decision” under duress
“It was a very demanding season in which I had to play through a knee injury in order to be able to take part in the Olympic Games. Now I’m doing my best to finish the season well despite problems with my lungs,” explained Zverev.
“I am forced to make the difficult decision to end the season after the ATP Finals so that I have enough time to recover and be back to 100 percent for the United Cup and Australian Open,” said the German number one. His season will end after the ATP Finals in Turin, where he will compete against the best eight players of the year. After that, Zverev plans a recovery phase to be back in top form at the United Cup and the Australian Open. The United Cup starts again on December 27th, Germany as defending champions will play their first game against Brazil on December 29th.
Germany’s tennis superstar Alexander Zverev makes a decision about his future after health problems. © Eva Manhart/dpa
Michael Kohlmann nominates Daniel Altmaier as Zverev’s replacement for the Davis Cup
In response to Zverev’s cancellation, team boss Michael Kohlmann nominated Daniel Altmaier as the fifth player for the Davis Cup finals. Jan-Lennard Struff will take on the role of German number one, supported by Yannick Hanfmann and the doubles Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz.
The German tennis team, which flew 10,000 kilometers around the world for the final round, will meet Canada in the quarterfinals on November 20th. A win would take them into the semi-finals against hosts Spain or the Netherlands. For the Spanish world star Rafael Nadal, the Davis Cup Finals are the last appearance of his career.
Zverev is plagued by health problems – and misses a possible duel against Nadal
Zverev has been struggling with breathing problems and coughing for months. After the Laver Cup in Berlin, Zverev was diagnosed with pneumonia. Despite these health challenges, the Hamburg native continued his season to compete in the Olympics and fulfill his commitments on the ATP calendar. I
