Sascha Zverev’s resignation: ‘No expectations’

“My level is a long way from where I would like it to be.”

An ankle injury suffered in what was turning out to be one of the best matches in recent years at Roland Garros-the June 3 semifinal with Rafa Nadal, later the future winner of the tournament-has kept him away from the courts for nearly seven months. In his return to official competition, Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev lost his United Cup match to Czech Jiri Lehecka 4-6 2-6.

The German obviously appeared very far from his best form, as he candidly admitted-not hiding a bit of bitterness-in the post-match press conference, “I think I felt good, but my tennis is very far from where I want it to be. I think that’s normal after seven months of inactivity. There are things different from what I’m used to, for example I got tired much earlier than usual, but that’s normal when you’re not playing,” he began.

“I’m not worried. Physically I’m not at the level I want to be at. I get tired faster and I’m less fast. I haven’t been in pain for two, three weeks, since the tournament in Arabia, but before that I wasn’t able to do all the things I wanted to do. I don’t think I will solve the problem by tomorrow, it’s a matter of weeks. Australian Open? Hard to have high expectations right now. It would be unrealistic and kind of silly to think I can win, or something like that. Certainly I want to win, everyone does. But first it is crucial that I get in shape,” he concluded.