Alexander Zverev talks about relationship with Rafael Nadal and gives opinion on Novak Djokovic’s Australia return

The German star revealed his thoughts on Djokovic and Nadal in an interview ahead of his return from a seven month long injury layoff

Alexander Zverev talks about relationship with Rafael Nadal and gives opinion on Novak Djokovic’s Australia return

Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal

World No.13 Alexander Zverev spoke about the great relationship he shares with Rafael Nadal and gave his thoughts on the return of Novak Djokovic to the Australian Open a year after his deportation drama. The German was talking to the Bild newspaper of his home country ahead of the Australian Open, where he is the twelfth seed.

Zverev was talking about training for the Slam when he revealed he trained with Nadal in Melbourne. He revealed that the Spaniard was relieved to see him recover from his injury and that the two were close. Zverev said, “He [Nadal] was very happy that I was back and able to compete. We have a great relationship, which the injury has made even better.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSd4X_JjBgc

Zverev was also asked about his opinion on Djokovic’s return to Australia after last year’s controversy. He replied,” For tennis and for sport in general, it’s important that he’s [Djokovic] here. He makes the tournament a class better.”

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Zverev twisted his ankle against Nadal in the semifinals of the 2022 French Open. He retired from the match and entered injury hell from then on. The German star reveals in the interview that he had seven torn ligaments. He had surgery on three of them but then had bone edema, further slowing him down. This information was not revealed to him, and he started training. The decision set him back further in the recovery schedule.

He now returns after seven months out of the tour. He admits he is not yet 100% physically. But Zverev believes that the Australian Open will only do him good. He says,” It is clear that I will not win the Australian Open in the current condition. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find my form after a game or two. Then self-confidence increases and then – let’s see.” Zverev will be looking to get some minutes in his legs when he plays Juan Pablo Varillas in the first round of the Australian Open.

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Alexander Zverev’s record at the Australian Open

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

Zverev has been up and down at the Australian Open throughout his career. He won the boys’ singles title at the Australian Open in 2014 but has not hit those heights as a pro. He started consistently participating in the Australian Open men’s edition in 2015.

That year, he lost in the first round of qualifying but improved from then on. Alexander Zverev made the first round in 2016 and followed it up with third-round matches in 2017 and 2018. He reached the fourth round in 2019 before a significant improvement the following year. Zverev made the semifinals of the Open in 2020, his best year in the majors.

He defeated Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals but lost to Dominic Thiem in the semis in his best Australian Open performance. Zverev made the quarterfinals the following year but crashed out in the fourth round last year. Though he has conceded this year, the 25-year-old will be looking to go all the way in Melbourne in the future.

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