What the hell is going on with Alexander Zverev?
After the early exit from the Olympics, the US Open is the next big goal for Alexander Zverev. But the question is, to what extent his body can handle the strain. During a stopover in Montreal, he is plagued by a cough. He can barely breathe. What's wrong with the German number 1?
Alexander Zverev's quest for the big triumph in New York begins with mysteries surrounding his health. The North American tour after the Olympic disappointment is ideally supposed to end for the 2021 tennis gold medalist with the first Grand Slam title in the US Open final on September 8. But after his worrying statements from Paris and his cough in Montreal, the question remains whether the 27-year-old is fit enough for the ultimate success. Or if he can become fit enough in the coming days.
"I sometimes can't breathe," Zverev complained during his quarterfinal exit at the ATP Masters-1000 tournament in Canada. Against the American Sebastian Korda, who subsequently lost in the semifinals, the Hamburg native coughed repeatedly between points in the fluctuating 6:7 (5:7), 6:1, 4:6 match. The tightly packed tennis tour, even more so than usual in the Olympic year, leaves him little time for a break. The next Masters event, the highest category on the ATP Tour, is already scheduled for this week in Cincinnati.
He saw "four balls" in Paris
Zverev, seeded third, will at least avoid a first-round task and will enter in the second round on Wednesday or Thursday after a bye. The US Open, the last chance for Zverev in this season to finally achieve his long-awaited Grand Slam title debut, begins in two weeks on August 26. That he has won more matches than any of his competitors this season (49) shows that he is playing a strong year so far. However, it also highlights the strain.
Even after his quarterfinal loss in the Olympic tennis event in the heat of Paris, his health raised questions. He reported feeling tired much faster than usual, needing longer breaks, and sometimes seeing "four balls" coming at him. "If I feel like I do now and how I felt this week, then I can't win a tournament like this," Zverev said there.
The world No. 4 announced that he would have his blood tested to find out what was wrong, but then continued on his journey. He only took three days off at home. Ten days after the 5:7, 5:7 loss to the Italian Lorenzo Musetti in Paris, he had not only changed continents but had already played three matches by the final day of the Olympics.
What's the big Djokovic praise worth?
His body has rebelled many times. Not only when a severe foot injury held him back for months from the French Open 2022. Thigh problems hindered him in the French Open semi-final 2023. At the Australian Open at the beginning of the season, a feverish infection weakened him when he was close to reaching the final. In Wimbledon, the Davis Cup player injured his knee in top form at the beginning of July. The injury was not yet fully healed in Paris.
In Montreal, problems with his serve that had not been seen in a long time reappeared in the match against Korda, in which he sometimes dominated and sometimes struggled. Eleven double faults - although with wind - reminded of past years when his serve cost him some victories. "If you look at his results, if you look at his game, everything he has achieved in this sport so far, he certainly deserves a Grand Slam title," said the Serbian top star Novak Djokovic recently about Zverev. If the best German pro is fit, he will again be among the favorites in New York.
Despite the cough and breathing issues in Montreal, Zverev remains determined to make a strong showing at the US Open, aiming to secure his first Grand Slam title on September 8. His impressive win-loss record this season further strengthens his chances, but concerns over his health linger.
Winning matches and maintaining a strong season is one thing, but handling the mental and physical strain of multiple tournaments, as witnessed in Montreal, is another challenge for Zverev as he prepares for the US Open.
