By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday, December 30, 2022
Alexander Zverev’s first official tour-level match since injuring his ankle at Roland-Garros has led to a loss. Final June, Zverev tore all three lateral ligaments in his proper ankle. The German, who had surgical procedure to restore the ankle and has only recently accomplished a prolonged rehab course of, fell to Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic at United Cup, 6-4, 6-2.
It wasn’t the outcome Zverev needed, however the former World No.3 is aware of he nonetheless has a protracted highway forward of him. He talked about it with reporters on Saturday in Sydney.
“Bodily I am not on the degree that I’ve to be,” he stated. “This isn’t even a query. I am getting drained so much faster than I all the time did. I am not as quick as I in all probability was.”
Zverev: “Bodily I am not on the degree that I’ve to be. This isn’t even a query. I am getting drained I feel so much faster than I all the time did. I am not as quick as I in all probability was.”
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) December 31, 2022
Zverev says he solely not too long ago has achieved pain-free standing with regard to the surgically repaired ankle. And he believes he nonetheless has a number of weeks, if not longer, to to till he can attain his prime kind.
“To be trustworthy, I am solely pain-free for about two, three weeks now, since all Saudi Arabia principally. Earlier than that I had ache and I wasn’t capable of do all of the totally different type of issues I need to do.
“I do not assume it is going to be a matter of tomorrow, after tomorrow. It will likely be a number of weeks till I am again to the extent I need to be.”
Zverev says that he isn’t setting excessive expectations for the primary a part of the season. He simply desires to seek out his greatest tennis. He’ll proceed that quest subsequent week in Australia, as Germany faces USA at United Cup subsequent.
“I feel it is powerful to set expectations excessive proper now. It might be unrealistic and likewise fairly silly for me to set the expectations in the direction of profitable or one thing like that,” he stated. “After all, I need to win. Everyone desires to win. For me, it is about getting again the shape that I am used to.”
