Málaga/Hamburg (DPA) – The German tennis team is planning a Davis Cup final from November 22 to 27 without top star Alexander Zverev.
At the moment it does not appear that the Olympic champion will be “ready to play again” until then, the German Tennis Association said and decided not to nominate the top player. Team owner Michael Kohlmann relies on a team that qualifies for the final round and quarter-finals against Canada in Hamburg in September without Zverev: Oscar Otte, Jan-Lenard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann and doubles specialist Tim Putz. And Kevin Kravitz is on the team.
“Of course we are not the favourites, but we are looking forward to the challenge. We have often proved that we can do our best and, like last year, we want to at least reach the semi-finals,” Kohlman he said.
However, without Zverev, the German tennis men are just outsiders for the knockout round game against Canada on 24 November. The Canadian could be joined by two top 20 players, Felix Auger-Aliasim and Denis Shapovalov.
After a leg injury from the French Open, Zverev had originally planned his return for Davis Cup week in Hamburg in September. Due to the swelling of a bone in his leg, which he contracted during rehabilitation training, his appearance of sixth in the world rankings was torn. At the moment it is not decided when the German number one player will return to the tour.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:221024-99-243086/2
