Alexander Zverev's year is effectively over, as he won't be joining the German team for their November clash with Canada in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga. His absence stems from a serious ankle ligament injury sustained during his Roland Garros quarter-final battle with Rafael Nadal in June.
Alexander Zverev’s 2022 season is effectively over as he has not been included in Germany’s squad for the Davis Cup Finals quarter-final against Canada in Malaga in November. The 25-year-old Zverev has been sidelined since June after he tore ligaments in his ankle when he twisted his foot during his French Open quarter-final clash against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
The injury proved costly, ruling him out of the US Open and Wimbledon. Though he tried to return for the Davis Cup group phase in September, a bone edema diagnosis in his right foot dealt a significant blow to his recovery. As a result, Zverev has dropped to world No. 6 and is poised to slide further in the ATP rankings due to lost points from his previous Paris Masters run. He is also unable to defend his title at the season-ending ATP Finals.
Zverev has pulled out of the Paris Masters scheduled for October 31. On Monday, the German Tennis Federation clarified that he isn't physically ready for the Davis Cup, stating that his return to the court is unlikely to happen before the event concludes.
Captain Michael Kohlmann has decided to keep the same roster that secured a dominant 3-0 group stage victory in Hamburg over Belgium, France, and Australia. The singles lineup will feature Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, and Oscar Otte, while the doubles pairing will consist of Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz.
Kohlmann expressed his satisfaction with the current group, noting that the players have performed convincingly and earned their spots. He emphasized that the squad has built a powerful bond over the last few years, and this synergy, combined with their skill, makes Germany a formidable opponent for any country.
The 48-year-old captain acknowledged that while Germany might not be the favorite for the trophy, the team is eager for the challenge. He pointed out that they have repeatedly proven they can go toe-to-toe with the world's best and are aiming to at least match last year's semi-final appearance. Kohlmann remains optimistic that they can pull off an upset against Canada in the quarters.
Canada enters the match after finishing second in their group behind Spain. They will likely rely heavily on the momentum of Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is coming off consecutive ATP 250 wins in Antwerp and Florence.