Alexander Zverev's struggles continued at the Shanghai Masters. World no. 3 fell to Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, marking another early exit in a challenging season.
The German unleashed his frustration after the duel, admitting that his game has reached one of its lowest points. Alexander revealed that he has not played a single match without pain since the Australian Open in January!
That lingering issue has affected his confidence and consistency. The discomfort, combined with a string of tough losses, has left him unable to trust his strokes or rediscover his fluid rhythm.
Alexander described his tennis as terrible, despite being world no. 3 and the closest rival of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The German fought for the Australian Open crown and fell to Jannik Sinner.
His following results on the notable scene where not that good, although he played in the Roland Garros quarter-final and the semi-final in Toronto and Cincinnati. The season is almost over, and Zverev stands on one ATP title in Munich.
Alexander's struggles highlight the fine line between fitness and confidence at the highest level. The German will try to bounce back in Paris and Turin and finish the season on a high note.
The German suffered an early loss at the US Open, dropped both matches at the Laver Cup and extended his miserable streak against Daniil Medvedev in Beijing.
Zverev claimed the opener against Arthur Rinderknech in Shanghai before taking only three games in sets two and three. The Frenchman took charge, imposing his strokes and playing flawless tennis at the net.
Alexander will compete at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, facing another tough opponent,Taylor Fritz, in the quarter-final.
"The year has been physically difficult. The last time I played without pain was at the Australian Open. My year has been terrible. I have no confidence in myself, and I do not believe in my shots. I'm playing horrible tennis," Alexander Zverev said.
