Alexander Zverev won't be playing at the upcoming China Open in Beijing as he withdrew from the ATP 500 tournament, just one day after the German helped Team Europe to the Laver Cup trophy.
The 27-year-old German took part in the 2024 Laver Cup, and it was an interesting event for him. He was in action three times during the three-day event in Berlin, playing on the first, second, and final day.
On the first day, Zverev teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles, but they lost in that match. He then stepped out on the second day to face Taylor Fritz in singles, but he once again lost.
He struggled to breathe at times during the match and struggled physically overall. He finished it but certainly didn't look anything remotely close to his best. That didn’t change in the final match he played, even though he managed to pull off a miraculous comeback against Frances Tiafoe to help Team Europe win.
His win over Tiafoe allowed Carlos Alcaraz to contest the final match and secure the overall win for Team Europe. Although he won, Zverev once again didn’t play close to his best, as it was evident that the German was struggling.
There aren’t any specific reports about him struggling with any exact injury, but there are some things that might be impacting his level and desire to play. During the Laver Cup, Zverev was asked how he felt at this stage of the season, and he said that he was feeling good.
He wasn’t feeling any effects on his body so far, despite playing many matches up until now. He played the most matches out of anyone on the ATP Tour, and naturally, also spent the most time on the court.
He was also asked whether he would play in China or at the Davis Cup, and he said that he didn’t know. The answer to both questions is now known, and he won’t play at either event.
The health issues he faced at the Laver Cup, coupled with his below-average showing, were likely enough for him to give up on playing at the ATP 500 event in Beijing.
He played all three days in Berlin, and now having to fly all the way to China to play that event didn’t seem like the best idea. It’s not known whether he will withdraw from the Shanghai Masters as well, as he’s still on the entry list.
However, he also chose not to participate in the Davis Cup Final 8 because the German team was officially submitted without his name on it.
He’s already spent 172 hours on the courts this year, the same amount he did in all of last season, and there are two months left. It’s very unlikely that he will skip everything until the end of the year, but as these withdrawals show, he will skip some of the tournaments to preserve his body.
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