Zverev Opens Season with Loss to Lehecka

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday, December 30, 2022

Alexander Zverev’s first official tour-level match since injuring his ankle at Roland-Garros has resulted in 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 in the near past 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 end result Zverev needed, however the former World No.3 is aware of he nonetheless has an extended street forward of him. He talked about it with reporters on Saturday in Sydney.

“Bodily I am not on the stage that I’ve to be,” he stated. “This isn’t even a query. I am getting drained rather a lot faster than I all the time did. I am not as quick as I most likely was.”

Zverev: “Bodily I am not on the stage that I’ve to be. This isn’t even a query. I am getting drained I feel rather a lot faster than I all the time did. I am not as quick as I most likely was.”

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) December 31, 2022

Zverev says he solely lately 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 high kind.

“To be sincere, I am solely pain-free for about two, three weeks now, since all Saudi Arabia mainly. Earlier than that I had ache and I wasn’t in a position to do all of the completely different form of issues I need to do.

“I do not suppose it will likely be a matter of tomorrow, after tomorrow. It will likely be a couple 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 needs to seek out his finest tennis. He’ll proceed that quest subsequent week in Australia, as Germany faces USA at United Cup subsequent.

“I feel it is robust to set expectations excessive proper now. It might be unrealistic and in addition fairly silly for me to set the expectations in direction of profitable or one thing like that,” he stated. “In fact, I need to win. Everyone needs to win. For me, it is about getting again the shape that I am used to.”