Alexander Zverev was due to play this week in a crucial Davis Cup tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina as teams battle relegation outside of the main finals. But he has withdrawn on Monday ahead of this weekend.
Zverev who lost in the Quarter-Finals against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open cited a muscle injury. He took a medical timeout during the Quarter-Final showing that it is likely legitimate. But now both Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff are now out.
This means that Daniel Altmaier and Yannick Hanfmann will likely have to lead the way when it comes to German hopes. But team boss, Michael Kohlmann is not worried.
"Alexander's loss is of course a serious one because he has found his way back to his old strength in the last few weeks and is an absolutely exceptional player. We would of course have liked to have had him there for this important game, but I am convinced that we are strong enough even without him to survive against Bosnia-Herzegovina," he said.
As a result replacing him will be Maximilian Marterer who last represented the side five years ago and will now have to step into Zverev's shoes alongside Hanfmann, Altmaier, Putz and Krawietz.
"Maximilian is in good shape at the moment and was ready to step in immediately. After a long injury break at the beginning of the year, he is currently on the way back to the top 100, where I think he belongs. He just reached the semi-finals last week at a Challenger tournament on clay and was also able to impress at Wimbledon after qualifying in the third round. I am sure that he will be an important support for us against Bosnia-Herzegovina," said Kohlmann about Zverev's replacement.
A. Zverev will miss the Davis Cup relegation in Bosnia this weekend due to a muscle injury from the Alcaraz match. Took a medical timeout during the quarterfinal as well. So both german no 1 and 2 Zverev and Struff out. Big role for Altmaier and Hanfmann incoming
