Alexander Zverev’s face was full of relief. Germany’s top player was “very happy” after the hard-fought 6:7 (5:7), 7:5, 10:5 victory at the Laver Cup against Frances Tiafoe. The success, which was his first in Berlin, had laid the foundation for his fifth triumph in total at Roger Federer’s show tournament.
After three matches within 48 hours – the last one on Sunday evening lasting 2 hours and 34 minutes – Zverev also felt “tired”. His body and mind are crying out for a break. The world number two again left open whether he will travel to the upcoming tournaments in Asia or be available for the Davis Cup finals in Malaga in November. Zverev was asked what his plans were in the arena at Berlin’s Ostbahnhof. His answer was brief: “I don’t know.”
Team boss announces talks
In the past, Zverev had stressed that it was a “big goal” for him to win the Davis Cup once. However, the late date this season from November 19 to 24 in Andalusia would shorten his recovery phase. Preparations for the new season begin in December, and the Australian Open is already scheduled for January as the first highlight of 2025.
After the successful group phase last week in Zhuhai/China, which Zverev missed, national coach Michael Kohlmann announced talks with his candidates. Jan-Lennard Struff, who had to miss the tournament due to injury and was a substitute at the Laver Cup, is also one of them.
Zverev revealed physical problems at the Laver Cup. The Hamburg player was weak in the first singles match against Taylor Fritz on Saturday (4:6, 5:7). “I was a bit sick this week. I think my heart rate was pretty high,” Zverev said. In the last match against Tiafoe he didn’t seem to have any problems. Afterwards, however, Zverev said: “I feel the same way.”
Finally, the 27-year-old once again expressed his displeasure with the long tennis season. The organizers of the professional tour are “not interested in what the players say about the strain” because it’s “about money.” The ATP season is “the longest in sport,” with “an unnecessary number of tournaments.” But the truth is that the top stars of the scene also regularly take part in additional lucrative show events such as in Saudi Arabia.
