HAMBURG/STARNBERG, July 13, 2024
Alexander Zverev expressed confidence on Saturday afternoon that he could start his title defence at the Hamburg Open on Tuesday. The 27-year-old German suffered from a bone marrow edema and a capsule strain in his knee, sustained from a fall in the third round at Wimbledon a week ago.
“The knee is still painful. I’m doing everything I can to be on the court on Tuesday. Today was the first time I could complete a decent two-hour practice session. I still have some limitations, but I’m doing everything to be ready,” Zverev said at a press conference at the media center at the Rothenbaum Tennis Complex:
He played without painkillers yesterday and today. “I still feel something, but I am confident that it will get better. Three days ago, I could hardly walk. Now I can already practice on the court. If it continues to develop like this, then I hope to be successful on the court on Tuesday,” Zverev said.
The World No. 4 will face a qualifier in the opening round. “At any other tournament, I wouldn’t even try to play. Hamburg is something special for me, my home. This is where my career began. I want to celebrate many beautiful moments here and stand on the court as the defending champion,” Zverev stated.
The defending champion is back home! 🥰@AlexZverev | @atptour | #HamburgOpen pic.twitter.com/oDTNsnrZVs
— Hamburg Open ATP 500 (@hamburgopenatp) July 13, 2024
Zverev Staying at his parents’ house again
Last year, in his comeback season after a severe ligament injury, Zverev won his first title in his hometown, defeating Serbian Laslo Djere 7-5, 6-3 in the 2023 final. This year, Zverev is once again staying at his parents’ house before and during the tournament.
“I love Hamburg. Of course, I’m staying with everyone at the family house. Most of them are arriving today, on Saturday. My father, Sophia, and I arrived earlier. Mischa and his family will arrive on Monday. Being together in the house creates and will continue to create a great atmosphere, and I generally enjoy my time here in Hamburg very much,” Zverev said.
Zverev is eager to show a strong performance on the Hamburg clay – also with an eye on the Olympic Games, which start the week after the Hamburg Open on July 24 at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. “There’s just under a week between Hamburg and Paris. I will do everything to be successful at both tournaments,” Zverev said.
