Germany’s Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from the United Cup due to injury less than two weeks before the start of the Australian Open.
Organizers of the tournament confirmed on Wednesday that the world No.2 would not feature in his country’s clash with Kazakhstan due to a bicep strain. Zverev has already won two matches at the mixed team competition this year with wins over Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro and China’s Zhizhen Zhang.
“Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from the United Cup due to a bicep strain,’ a statement read.
Zverev is yet to comment on the injury and it is unclear how significant it is. In recent weeks he has been working on his fitness with the help of trainer Jaz Green who has joined his team after previously working with him. Green has also worked with Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem.
“I worked with him for seven years, and we kind of had a split for three years, and we’re back together,” Zverev told reporters on Sunday.
“For me, the physical aspect probably was the most important of the off-season for sure.
“I feel like I’ve lost one or two matches last year (2024) because I got tired, which I don’t want to happen this year.”
Following Zverev’s absence from the United Cup, defending champions Germany were beaten 2-1 in the quarter-finals by Kazakhstan after losing both of their singles matches. Laura Siegemund fell 6-3, 6-1, to former Wimbledon champion Laura Siegemund. Then Zverev’s replacement, Daniel Masur, was ousted 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-2 by Alexander Shevchenko.
“In some way I was happy. In some way not because obviously, it’s not good to play an opponent who is No. 2 in the world, but in the same way I wanted to challenge him,” Shevchenko commented on Zverev’s absence.
“I think I would done better with him than I did today against Daniel because all the pressure was on me.
“If I would be a little bit more free and the way I played against Stefanos (Tsitsipas), I think I would have some chances today as well.”
Germany’s only point won was in the mixed doubles when Tim Putz and Laura Siegemund dismissed Dmitry Popko and Zhibek Kulambayeva 6-2, 6-2.
