With health concerns having plagued Alexander Zverev this year, the world number two’s withdrawal from the China Open has finally been explained.
An ailing Alexander Zverev hauled himself past Frances Tiafoe to set up a thrilling Laver Cup comeback, eventually sealed for Team Europe by Carlos Alcaraz.
The 26-year-old made his fifth appearance at the Laver Cup this year and in front of a buoyant Berlin home crowd, he shook off his opening day defeat to Taylor Fritz to eke past Tiafoe in a match tie-break.
Zverev thanked some astute advice from Daniil Medvedev during his match which helped him turn the tide.
Level at 5-5, Zverev won five straight points to silence the critics and prevent a third consecutive Laver Cup title for Team World and departing captain John McEnroe.
Alexander Zverev reveals new concerning health diagnosis as reason for China Open withdrawal
With rumours that Zverev was suffering with an illness throughout his time with Team Europe, the German suddenly withdrew from the Beijing Open with no initial explanation.
A semi-finalist last year, the world number two loses a chunk of points as a result of his absence from the ATP 500 event.
He follows Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina who’ve also pulled out of the sister WTA 1000 event running concurrently in the Chinese capital.
Zverev told Deutschen Presse-Agentur: “Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which explains the physical difficulties I’ve had in recent months.
“I have to take care of my health first so that I can compete again as soon as possible. I am very disappointed that I had to withdraw from the China Open. I will miss my Chinese fans in Beijing and hope to be able to play in front of them again soon.”
Having sustained a knee-injury at Wimbledon, Zverev revealed he was battling with illness at the Montreal Open.
Alexander Zverev has faced a busy ATP schedule in 2024
The 26-year-old moved up to second in the ATP rankings after reigning Cincinnati champion Novak Djokovic skipped the event this year, and Carlos Alcaraz suffered an early exit to Gael Monfils.
Having played 75 matches so far this year, losing 18, Zverev is just the latest player to wade into ATP scheduling controversy.
Alcaraz claimed the ATP were ‘killing’ players as he unloaded on what he said was a dangerously packed tennis calendar.
With women’s number one Swiatek also blasting the WTA for what she considered a lack of foresight and consideration for player welfare, some players have considered a boycott.
McEnroe claimed players needed to take a stand against the issue, with Zverev saying the ATP scheduling was nonsensical in a subsequent frosty interaction with a reporter.
The German will not play in the Davis Cup finals in November and will ultimately be aiming for a successful end of the year at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
