“The grass allergy is nothing new for me”: Alexander Zverev embraces unusual Wimbledon challenge after Roland Garros breakthrough
ATPMonday, 29 June 2026 at 06:30
Alexander Zverev revealed ahead of Wimbledon that he suffers from what he described as a recurring grass allergy, adding an unusual physical factor to his annual transition into the grass-court swing. The German enters SW19 still searching for his first major breakthrough on the surface where his results have consistently lagged behind the rest of his career profile.
The world No. 3 arrives in London as a Grand Slam champion for the first time after his Roland Garros triumph earlier this season, a result that ended a long-standing pursuit of a maiden major title and shifted the emotional pressure surrounding his performances.
Despite that breakthrough, Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam where Zverev has never reached a final. His record on grass contrasts sharply with his success on clay and hard courts, where he has won the majority of his 25 career titles.
His preparation included a semi-final run at the Halle Open, his only grass-court warm-up before arriving in London, where he has trained in high temperatures while adjusting to conditions that remain historically challenging for him.
“I have a grass allergy” — Zverev on Wimbledon difficulty
Zverev addressed his well-known struggles on grass in direct terms, acknowledging that the issue is recurring rather than isolated, and something he has carried into multiple Wimbledon campaigns.
“I’m very well. The grass allergy is nothing new for me,” Zverev said to Bild. “I have it every year. I just never spoke about it before and didn’t really show it in the last years,”
The German’s explanation highlights both continuity and timing: the condition has been present across seasons, but only now has it become part of his public narrative as he enters Wimbledon as a Grand Slam winner.
“I have to be honest with myself: it feels different with the title in my pocket,” the world No. 3 added. “There is more joy and, in a way, more freedom. But when I am on court I want to do my job and play my best tennis,” he said.
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Wimbledon preparation and performance outlook
Zverev’s build-up to Wimbledon has included multiple practice sessions against top-level opponents, including Félix Auger-Aliassime and Andrey Rublev, as well as adaptation work on indoor courts at the All England Club during periods of extreme heat.
He described the indoor facilities as particularly useful during preparation. “It is very well designed. Everything has air conditioning inside, but even with the roof open it feels cooler. It is a really good setup,” Zverev said.
On court, his preparation has been steady rather than explosive, focusing on rhythm-building after a physically demanding clay season that culminated in his Roland Garros triumph.
Despite the light framing of his “grass allergy” remark, Zverev enters Wimbledon with a clear competitive objective: translating his improved confidence and Grand Slam status into sustained success on a surface that has historically limited his deepest runs.
Zverev opens his Wimbledon campaign against Belgian Alexander Blockx, a potentially tricky first-round opponent who reached Masters-level semi-finals in Madrid earlier this season and has already tested higher-ranked players despite his limited experience at Grand Slam level.
Precisely, it was Zverev who eliminated him in the Madrid semi-finals, and he repeated the result two weeks later in the Rome Round of 16. This time, however, it will be their first meeting outside clay courts, with Blockx still without a main-draw win at SW19 and having only recorded victories in qualifying matches on the surface.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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