Injured Zverev cancels Davis Cup relegation

Without their top player Alexander Zverev, the German tennis team has to play the upcoming relegation game in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The tenth in the world rankings is still struggling with the muscle injury in his left thigh that he recently sustained in the quarter-finals of the US Open against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. The German Tennis Association announced this on Monday. The encounter in Mostar will take place this Saturday and Sunday, with the aim of remaining in the group of top nations.

“Alexander’s loss is of course serious because he has found his way back to his old strength in the last few weeks and is an absolutely exceptional player,” said Davis Cup team boss Michael Kohlmann. “We would of course have liked to have had him there for this important game, but I am convinced that we will be strong enough to survive against Bosnia-Hercegovina even without him.”

“Strong enough even without him”

Former French Open round of 16 player Maximilian Marterer is replacing Zverev. The left-hander is currently ranked 127th in the world and reached the third round as a qualifier at Wimbledon. “I am sure that he will be an important support for us against Bosnia-Herzegovina,” said Kohlmann about the 28-year-old from Nuremberg.

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The German team also includes Daniel Altmaier, Yannick Hanfmann and the doubles specialists Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz. The best-known player for the hosts is Damir Dzumhur. The 31-year-old was number 23 in the world rankings in 2018.

Zverev reported last week after the defeat against Alcaraz in New York that he had a bump on his thigh. “Usually when you have a bump, it indicates you have a tear,” said the 26-year-old from Hamburg.