Alexander Zverev has experienced a sobering comeback on the tennis tour and, after his opening defeat at the United Cup, warned of great expectations at the Australian Open.
The 25-year-old Olympic champion lost his first official match since his foot surgery in Sydney on Saturday 4: 6, 2: 6 against the world number 81. Jiri Lehecka.
“Physically, I’m not yet at the level I need to be. That’s no question. I get tired much faster than before. I’m not as fast as I probably was,” said Zverev after the game. It will be a few more weeks before he’s back to the level he wants to be.
Tennis: Germany threatens defeat in the United Cup
The German tennis professionals around Zverev are facing their first defeat in the new United Cup.
In the opening duel with the Czech Republic, after Zverev, Jule Niemeier also lost 2: 6, 5: 7 to Marie Bouzkova, so the selection of the German Tennis Association needs three successes on Sunday to turn the game around.
Before the preparatory tournament for the Australian Open (January 16 to 29) and the start of the new season, Zverev had only gained game practice at show appearances after his serious ankle injury at the French Open in June.
In Dubai before Christmas he had succeeded against the former world number one Novak Djokovic from Serbia.
Alexander Zverev dampens expectations before the Australian Open
Zverev reported that he had only been pain-free for two or three weeks. “It would be unrealistic and also pretty stupid of me to expect to win or something,” he said, looking at the Australian Open. “Of course I want to win. Everyone wants to win. For me it’s about getting back to my usual form.”
If Laura Siegemund doesn’t manage to surprise Petra Kvitova on Sunday, the defeat in the country comparison would be fixed. In addition, Oscar Otte meets Dalibor Svrcina, for the final mixed Julia Lohoff and Fabian Fallert are nominated.
The US selection around US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, who won 4-1 against the Czech Republic at the start, is the second opponent of the German team on January 2nd and 3rd. A total of 18 nations are fighting for progress in six groups of the new competition for women and men. The winner will be determined in the final on January 8th.
The United Cup is also about world ranking points and a total of 15 million US dollars (14.05 million euros) in prize money and bonuses.
