By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 3, 2024
Photo: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Alexander Zverev has not fully recovered from the bout with pneumonia that forced him to leave Beijing.
The world No. 2 is committed to playing the Rolex Shanghai Masters—and chasing his 2024 goal.
More: WADA appeals sinner’s doping case, seeks ban for world number 1
“I still have (pneumonia), it hasn’t gone away for a week,” Alexander Zverev told the Rolex Shanghai Masters website. “It will take a few months for it to completely disappear.
“I’m on medication, on medication. But the problem was during the Laver Cup, I felt really, really bad. And I had a pretty high temperature and I was pushing a lot, so I wasn’t fit enough.”
Zverev said he still struggles with fatigue at times, but feels better and is ready to do it in Shanghai.
“They said it’s something that won’t prolong the recovery process,” Zverev said. “As long as, of course, I don’t feel as horrible as I did again. It’s not something I can prolong or make worse. As long as that’s what the doctors say, I’m ready to play and give my best.
“It’s a good thing it’s three sets here with a day off in between – that helps. It’s not best of five like in New York. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
Former Olympic gold medalist Zverev said his goal is to finish 2024 as world No. 2.
“I think before the US Open the number one spot was wide open for this year,” Zverev said. “But I think Jannik has secured it by winning Cincinnati and the US Open back-to-back.
“So I think to finish the year number two in the world for me would be a huge achievement. It would be something I haven’t done before. So that’s something in the back of my mind, of course, Carlos is playing some Great tennis at the moment so I expect him to be at his best as well.
