Alexander Zverev has revealed he is suffering from inflammation of his lung which will take a couple of months for him to recover from fully.
The world No.2 has spoken about his recent health issues for the first time ahead of the Shanghai Masters. Zverev, who reached the final of the French Open in June, has suffered from a fever and ended up in a hospital where he learned about his lung problem. The German admits he still suffers from tiredness but has been given the green light to continue playing on the Tour.
“I have an inflammation in my lung. It’s going to take about two, three months to be completely gone.” Zverev told reporters on Tuesday.
“Why I pulled out of Beijing was because I was quite sick. I had quite a high fever during the Laver Cup and after the Laver Cup. I ended up in hospital. I didn’t feel great and just didn’t have the energy to play. I was on antibiotics for a week.”
Zverev’s health woes raise questions about how he will fair for the rest of the season which will conclude at the ATP Finals in Turin. After reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open, he played three matches at the Laver Cup with his sole victory being over Frances Tiafoe who he beat 10-5 in a final set tiebreaker.
“I feel better now, but, of course, the issue with my lung is not gone, it’s still there.” He continued.
“I still have a feeling of maybe being a bit more tired than I’m used to, but it’s either I’m going to take the whole season off now or I’m going to play the way I can play. It’s nothing that will delay the recovery or will make it worse if I play, that’s what the doctor said, and that’s why I’m here (at the Shanghai Masters), and I’m happy to give my 100 percent of what I have.”
Zverev has a 10-5 win-loss record at the Shanghai Masters and reached the final in 2019. He will be eager to make up for his performance at the event 12 months ago when he lost his opening match to Russia’s Roman Safiullin. He has won 22 titles so far in his career but only two of those were in Asia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Chengdu Open.
As for looking further ahead, Zverev is targeting a place in the year-end top two on the PIF ATP rankings despite his ongoing issues.
“For me personally it would be great to finish the year No. 2 in the world,” he said.
“I think the No. 1 spot is gone to Jannik (Sinner), he made sure about it during the US Open. I think before the US Open it was quite open between Jannik, Carlos (Alcaraz), and myself.
“I think finishing in the No. 2 spot and starting the year there would be amazing for me. Of course, I know Carlos is playing great tennis right now, he’s in Beijing making up points, and I know that I have to be at my best to achieve that goal.”
Zverev has won 55 out of 73 matches played so far this season.