Alexander Zverev was in red-hot form this season. His incredible run in 2024 saw him jump up to the second spot in the men’s singles ranking. However, recently he had to pull out of the China Open due to some sickness. According to Zverev’s latest statements, he’s suffering from lung inflammation, which he believes would take him almost a couple of months to recover fully. Will he take part in the Shanghai Masters? Well, the German recently gave an update to his fans.
According to his recent statements ahead of the Shanghai Masters, “I pulled out of Beijing was because I was quite sick. I had quite a high fever during the Laver Cup and after the Laver Cup. I ended up in hospital. I didn’t feel great and just didn’t have the energy to play. I was on antibiotics for a week.” Although he mentioned that, he’s feeling better now but has also admitted that the issue with his lung has now gone yet. However, he isn’t ready to rule out all his chances of ending the year on a high note.
“I still have a feeling of maybe being a bit more tired than I’m used to, but it’s either I’m going to take the whole season off now or I’m going to play the way I can play. It’s nothing that will delay the recovery or will make it worse if I play, that’s what the doctor said, and that’s why I’m here (at the Shanghai Masters), and I’m happy to give my 100 percent of what I have,” said Zverev. He has played 71 matches this season and has won 54 out of them. Zverev won the title at the Italian Open this year and now it’ll be interesting to see if he can really end the year on a high note.
Talking about his goals for the rest of the season, Zverev said, “For me personally it would be great to finish the year No. 2 in the world.” Who is the real threat to Alexander Zverev’s goal, though?
“I know I have to be at my best to achieve that goal” – Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz’s superb run at the China Open has now helped him overtake Alexander Zverev in the ATP Live Rankings. The Spaniard recently defeated Daniil Medvedev to book a spot in the finals of the tournament. In the ATP Live Rankings, Alcaraz is currently sitting at the second spot with 6840 points, whereas Zverev sits at the third place with 6705 points. So, this shows us why the German is so desperate to be on the court despite his sickness.
Alcaraz has already stated, “Right now, I feel prepared and I feel good, I feel my tennis is back.” Even Alexander Zverev heaped praise on the Spaniard for his incredible run of form. “Of course, I know Carlos is playing great tennis right now, he’s in Beijing making up points, and I know that I have to be at my best to achieve that goal,” said the German.
If Alexander Zverev plays at the Shanghai Masters, there is a high chance of him facing Novak Djokovic in the SF. Currently, the Serb leads the H2H scoreline with an 8-4 margin. However, looking at the level of consistency that Zverev has shown this year, we can surely say he has all the potential to disrupt a few equations in Shanghai. Do you think Zverev has a real chance at the Shanghai Masters this year?