“Given a bit of a muzzle”: Zverev is worried – and keeps a secret about his health

“Given a bit of a muzzle”
Zverev is worried – and keeps a secret about his health

22.09.2024, 08:32

At the Laver Cup, Alexander Zverev fought his way through his match, visibly in poor health. The tennis pro is once again struggling with problems that have been bothering him for weeks. Zverev did not comment on his health – at the behest of his management.

Tennis pro Alexander Zverev has kept his health a secret after his defeat against Taylor Fritz at the Laver Cup. The world number two admitted that he has had a fever for four days, does not feel well and has therefore hardly been present at his teammates’ matches.

When asked specifically about his fitness and whether he would play the next tournaments in Asia as planned, the German replied: “I was kind of gagged by my management back there, by my brother and Sergej.”

Brother Mischa and Sergej Bubka stood behind the journalists when Zverev sat in the press conference after the 4:6, 5:7 defeat against Fritz. However, when asked, neither of them wanted to comment. “That’s a private matter,” they said.

Four balls seen

During the match for Team Europe, Zverev repeatedly struggled with his body in the arena in eastern Berlin. The doctor had to come onto the court in the middle of the second set. Zverev’s cough could be heard throughout the arena. “My heart rate was pretty high,” Zverev reported after his third defeat in the series against the American.

Zverev’s health and fitness have been a mystery for weeks. At the Paris Summer Games, he failed in the quarterfinals, complained of dizziness and reported that he had seen four balls at times. He was also ill when he was knocked out in Montreal, coughing loudly. According to Zverev, blood tests have not provided any clarity about the cause of his symptoms. Now comes the next setback.

In the evening, Zverev will compete for Team Europe again: In the first match of the evening session, team captain Björn Borg will send him into a duel with Frances Tiafoe. However, if Team World wins the first two matches of the day, the Laver Cup would already be decided early – and in this case, Zverev would probably not play anymore.