"Physically struggling": Zverev opens up about health scare after Laver Cup

Alexander Zverev is facing lung inflammation that sent him to the hospital after the Laver Cup and prevented him from competing in the China Open this week in Beijing. The world No. 2 is having a challenging end to the season due to health issues.

During the Laver Cup weekend, Zverev struggled physically during his match against Taylor Fritz, where he had difficulty breathing and later injected insulin, something seen repeatedly during the German’s matches, as he has been diabetic since he was three years old.

The 2-time Grand Slam runner-up admitted that his illness won’t fully heal for a few months, though he hopes to play the year-end tournaments, including the Shanghai Masters, where he will debut on Thursday or Friday against the winner of the match between Mattia Bellucci (qualifier) and Billy Harris (lucky loser).

"I was physically struggling, I was not healthy (at Laver Cup). I didn't know what it was," the 27-year-old German told reporters in Shanghai. "I still have a feeling of maybe being a bit more tired than I'm used to. But it's either I'm going to take the whole season off now or I'm going to play the way I can play."

Zverev was the second player to qualify for the ATP Finals, after Jannik Sinner. The German will compete in the tournament for the 7th time in his career, having won the title in 2018 and 2021. It will be key for his aspirations, as he confirmed he hopes to finish the season as world No. 2, which requires maintaining his lead over Carlos Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion this season.

"For me personally, it would be great especially to finish the year as number two in the world,” he said. "Carlos is playing great tennis right now, he's in Beijing making up points, and I know that I have to be at my best to achieve that goal."