After six months out, Alexander Zverev will make his return from harm this week when he competes for Staff Germany on the United Cup. The 2-time Nitto ATP Finals champion tore three ligaments in his proper ankle throughout his Roland Garros semi-final conflict in opposition to Rafael Nadal in June, earlier than struggling a bone edema harm in September.
Match once more, the 25-year-old is delighted to have the ability to compete over the following fortnight in Sydney, having endured a testing interval on the sidelines.
“Lastly being again on court docket, being again in a aggressive official event as nicely [is great],” Zverev mentioned. “It has been a very long time for me sadly however I am trying ahead to Australia. I’ve all the time loved being right here, I’ve all the time loved coming again right here and as I mentioned, simply enjoying tennis once more, simply being out competing and I’ve all the time loved crew occasions.
“In fact, I am getting back from harm. I feel I am not going to be enjoying my best possible tennis this week however I am trying ahead to being again on the court docket and I feel the crew environment will assist.”
Zverev will spearhead Staff Germany on the United Cup, a brand new 18-country mixed-teams occasion held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. The World No. 12 feels the event is a crucial step ahead within the growth of the game.
“I feel this can be a very, very particular one,” Zverev mentioned. “I feel it is very distinctive – not solely in tennis however I feel in all totally different sorts of sport, the place women and men compete collectively. I hope it will be a really constructive week for all of us and I feel that it is revolutionary and I feel it is crucial for the sports activities world.”
Zverev shall be joined in Staff Germany by WTA gamers Jule Niemeier, Laura Siegemund, Anna-Lena Friedsam and Julia Lohoff, with Oscar Otte, Daniel Altmaier and Fabian Fallert making up the boys’s quartet.
The 19-time tour-level titlist believes his nation has the power to get pleasure from a deep run in Sydney, beginning in opposition to Staff United States and Staff Czech Republic in Group C.
“I feel the dynamic is nice. All of us get alongside properly,” Zverev mentioned. “All of us [are] sort of attending to know one another a bit of bit nonetheless however we’re making an attempt to spend time exterior the court docket collectively so the dynamic and the environment is best on the court docket.
“I feel we have now very, very robust girls with Jule Niemeier, who’s a younger up-and-coming participant. We have an excellent doubles blended crew probably with Laura [Siegemund] and myself and the fellows I feel are fairly robust.”
Zverev will hope to make a successful begin on his return when he faces Subsequent Gen ATP Finals runner-up Jiri Lehecka within the opening match of Staff Germany’s tie in opposition to Staff Czech Republic on Saturday.