Zverev on Pneumonia Battle and Purpose

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 3, 2024Photo credit score: Corleve/Mark Peterson

Alexander Zverev is not full recovered from the bout with pneumonia that compelled him out of Beijing. 

The world No. 2 is dedicated to enjoying the Rolex Shanghai Masters—and pursuing his 2024 aim.

Extra: WADA Appeals Sinner’s Doping Case, Seeks Ban for World No. 1

“I nonetheless have [pneumonia], it is not disappeared in per week,” Alexander Zverev advised the Rolex Shanghai Masters web site. “It is gonna take a couple of months for it to be fully gone.

“I am on drugs, on medicines. However the issue was throughout the Laver Cup, I felt actually, actually dangerous. And I had fairly a excessive fever and I used to be throwing up fairly a bit so I used to be simply not match sufficient.”

Zverev stated he is nonetheless battling fatigue at instances, however feels higher and is able to give it a go in Shanghai.

“They stated it’s one thing that won’t make the restoration course of longer,” Zverev stated. “So long as, in fact, I don’t really feel horrendous once more like I did. It’s not one thing I can delay or make it worse. So long as that’s what the medical doctors say, I’m keen to play and provides it my finest.

“It’s an excellent factor it’s three units right here with a day without work in between—that helps. It’s not best-of-five like in New York. I’m going to provide every part that I’ve.”

Former Olympic gold medal champion Zverev stated his aim is to complete 2024 as world No 2.

“I feel earlier than the US Open the primary spot was very open for this yr,” Zverev stated. “However I feel Jannik has form of secured it with profitable Cincinnati and the US Open back-to-back.

“So I feel ending the yr quantity two on the earth for me can be a terrific achievement. It might be one thing that I haven’t accomplished earlier than. So that’s one thing at the back of my thoughts, in fact, Carlos is enjoying some superb tennis proper now. So I’m anticipating him to be at his finest as properly. Hopefully, if I’m at my finest, it’s going to be a troublesome race till the tip.”