Former world No.2 Alexander Zverev gave a scathing assessment of his own performances, as Germany look to bounce back and stay alive in the United Cup
Zverev will take on Taylor Fritz in the first match at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney today, with Germany needing to take four out of the five matches in the tie to advance.
“Physically I’m not at the level that I have to be,” he told Tennis Now.
“This is not even a question. I’m getting tired I think a lot quicker than I always did. I’m not as fast as I probably was.”
Zverev was beaten by Jiri Lehecka in singles play as his country lost 2-3 to the Czech Republic, but bounced back a day later to claim a mixed doubles win alongside Laura Siegemund.
His match against Lehecka was his first official match since the semi final at Roland Garros in June, where he was forced to retire after suffering an ankle injury that subsequently required surgery.
The USA beat the Czechs 4-1 in the opening tie of this group, meaning that if they can win just two out of five matches today or tomorrow, they’ll make it through.