ATP Finals for tennis professionals: Zverev on the way to the semi-finals – “I feel healthier”

As Alexander Zverev worked on his forehand and rhythm on the tennis court, workers were already picking up the trash in the stands. The German hopeful had previously convincingly bagged his first victory at the ATP Finals, and around 13,000 spectators had left the multi-purpose hall in Turin. He was drawn back to the square very late in the evening.

It is not unusual for Zverev to train after a match. But the fact that he doesn’t give up at the end of a strenuous season marked by health problems and longing for a vacation in the Maldives underlines his ambitions.

After the successful start, he at least indicated that he wanted more than what he had achieved so far. Boris Becker had previously named Italy’s tennis star Jannik Sinner as number one in the world at the end of the year. When asked about this, Zverev replied: “We’ll see who will receive the trophy next year.”

The world number two began his desired path to a conciliatory end to the year with a confident 6:4, 6:4 against the Russian Andrei Rublyov. No, it wasn’t a perfect match, Zverev reassured. He hopes to improve in the second group game against Norwegian Casper Ruud. With a success on Wednesday (8.30 p.m./Sky), his place in the semi-finals might already be assured.

Zverev: “Still gets tired a little quicker”

His lung problems of the past few months shouldn’t stop him. “I definitely feel better. I feel healthier, I feel fitter on the pitch,” said the 27-year-old. However, the problem is still somewhat noticeable. “I might still get tired a little quicker,” he reported, “but I feel okay. But that doesn’t mean my lungs are at 100 percent.”

In one of his interviews, the two-time Grand Slam finalist had to turn away again to cough. But he no longer coughs “like a madman” like he did in the summer months when no one knew what was wrong with him. It was only after the Laver Cup in Berlin at the end of September that Zverev declared that he was suffering from pneumonia.

At the Laver Cup, a detailed examination revealed that “25 percent” of his lungs were not functioning. “I ended up in the hospital before the Laver Cup when I had a fever of 40 degrees for three days in a row and then at some point I felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore,” said Zverev.

Against Rublev, it didn’t seem as if the problems were restricting him much. It was his 67th win this year – none of his opponents have more. The number was “worth something,” said Zverev, “because you have the feeling that you played a solid season with lots of wins. But of course, one day you’ll look back on titles.”

Boris Becker: Zverev “close” to number one

The fact that he won the Masters 1000 events in Rome and Paris-Bercy this year was “wonderful”. But even more than this number, certain matches remain in his mind when looking at the balance sheet. The French Open final, the fall at Wimbledon that took away his chance of winning the title. The Australian Open semi-finals. It was defeats that he looked at.

A third title at the ATP Finals would be a boost in the hunt for the first Grand Slam title. Zverev wants to be at 100 percent health in January. Becker thinks Zverev also deserves to be included in the world number one rankings. He was “close,” said the 56-year-old on Sky. Zverev also trains late for this, even if he has just won.