World No. 2 Alexander Zverev will be ready to play the Korea Open in Seoul. Zverev will also see fellow top-10 players in Casper Ruud and Cameron Norrie at the tournament from 23 September to 3 October. The Indian Wells 2022 Masters winner Taylor Fritz is also expected to play in Seoul.
Last week, Zverev couldn’t participate in the US Open. Zverev was hoping to play at the final Grand Slam of the year but had to withdraw from the tournament as he expressed that playing five-set matches in his first tournament back probably wouldn't be a smart call.
“The recovery is going extremely well,” Zverev confirmed after his US Open withdrawal. “And I am super happy where I am right now. But unfortunately, I will not come to New York this year. It was a very tough decision, but the way the recovery is going – and how well everything is going - I just don’t want to take the risk and play a best-of-five set match as my first match back."
“Of course, I will miss it and, of course, I will be watching from far away. Unfortunately, I did not have another week or two where I would have been 100% ready but it is how it is. I am looking forward to seeing everybody at the Davis Cup. And I am looking forward to being back as soon as possible", he added.
Zverev hasn’t played tennis on the pro-circuit since tearing his ankle ligaments during the semifinal against Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June. He will make his much-awaited return to action for the German team in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals, which is scheduled to take place from September 13 to 18. In Group C, in Hamburg, Germany will take on France, Australia and Belgium. The German squad includes Michael Kohlmann (captain), Alexander Zverev, Oscar Otte, Jan-Lennard Struff, Tim Puetz and Kevin Kraweitz.
Alexander Zverev expressed excitement about representing his country in a prestigious event like Davis Cup. He said, “Usually, tennis is an individual sport, but I know from a lot of colleagues that they really look forward to the Davis Cup week each year. We can finally spend some time together. We eat together, practise together and have fun – this is all part of it.”