Alexander Zverev acknowledges Germany's chances of winning the Davis Cup Final 8 probably increased with Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal, but insists he would have preferred to have the world No. 1 competing in Bologna this week.
After feeling discomfort and pain in his hamstring during a loss to Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals title match on Sunday, the Spanish tennis star had to undergo an emergency MRI. And sadly for the six-time Grand Slam champion but also the Spanish public, the tests revealed a bone edema in his hamstring. While the reigning US Open champion initially tried to see if there was a possibility for him to still compete this week, that was shut down by the doctors and he had to pull out.
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Without Alcaraz, it is a completely different situation for Spain now, who will be represented by Jaume Munar, Pablo Carreno Busta and Pedro Martinez.
Zverev on Alcaraz's withdrawal: I was looking forward to seeing him at the Davis Cup Final 8
"Well, if we are favorites, then yes, but to be honest, I was also looking forward seeing Carlos Alcaraz, but of course everyone is physically exhausted. It's a long season, he has played incredible tennis again this year, and it's clear that one or two things can happen," world No. 3 Zverev told ZDF when asked if Alcaraz's absence makes Germany a more of a favorite.
Besides Zverev, Germany will also be represented by Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, and one of the best doubles teams in the world - Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz.
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The Germans, who are bidding to win their first Davis Cup title since 1993, open against Argentina on Thursday.
"Firstly, we all get along very, very well with each other, of course. And secondly, the guys are getting older, I'm getting older too, of course, but with this constellation, with this team, we only have one, two years, maybe three years, to win the Davis Cup. And we want to do everything we can to make that happen, of course," Zverev stated.
It is worth mentioning that defending Davis Cup champions Italy are also without Jannik Sinner in Bologna.
