Alexander Zverev had to skip the China Open due to pneumonia, following the Laver Cup, but the German will be on the court at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
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"Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which explains my physical problems in recent months. I have to take care of my health to return to competition as soon as possible," he said, after his performance in Berlin.
The German champion has been back on the tennis scene and, in the last few hours -fortunately - he has given positive updates regarding his physical condition. In the media day of the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, the 27-year-old confirmed that he will be on the court and has important goals for this final phase of the season.
"I had a little problem with my lungs. I have inflammation in my lung again that will take a few months, two or three months to completely go away. I'm taking some medicine, but the reason I pulled out of Beijing is that I was very sick, I had a high fever during and after the Laver Cup. I ended up in the hospital, I didn't feel well and I had no energy to play, I was on antibiotics for a week," he explained.
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Now his condition is clearly improving: "I feel better now, but the problem with my lungs hasn't gone away, it's still there. I still feel a little more tired than I'm used to, but either I take a season off or I play as I can. The doctor told me that if I play I won't delay my recovery and I won't get worse, so I'm happy to give 100% of what I have."
On personal goals, Sascha has very specific ideas in mind: "It would be great to finish the year as world number two. The number 1 will go to Jannik, who secured it after the US Open. I think before the US Open the situation was open between Jannik, Carlos and me. I think finishing the year as number 2 and starting 2025 would be great. Of course, I know Carlos is playing great tennis at the moment, he is in Beijing scoring points and I know I have to give my best to achieve this goal," he explained.
