John McEnroe has backed Alexander Zverev to reach a top-five spot in the ATP rankings after the 25-year-old featured in the 2023 Australian Open following a long-term injury.
Although Zverev was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open in four sets by American player Michael Mmoh, seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe believes Zverev has the potential to go on an injury-free run and break back into the world's top five.
“If his body plays along, he'll be in the top ten or five players again. I don't know how long it will take, but it could be a longer process,”
Zverev made his first appearance on court since an ankle ligament injury during the 2022 French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal.
“It says a lot that Zverev was at eye level with Rafael Nadal at the French Open. I think he was close to a breakthrough. Now he's back, that's positive. But there's still a lack of fitness and self-confidence,”
Between July 2017 and November 2022, Zverev was inside the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings but injuries have prevented the 25-years old player from consistently pushing for a top five spot, recently. Despite the positives for Zverev recently, McEnroe is urging the German player to be patient in his recovery in the 2023 season.
“Is his ankle 100 percent healthy again? I don't know. I suspect it will be a process for Sascha. I don't want to say that he has to start over, but he will have to be patient. The injury was a big setback for him – and at the worst possible time,”
Zverev is expected to play in the 2023 Rotterdam tournament in February as he steps up his rehabilitation in an attempt to reclaim his previous best form.
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