The unbelievable 2 month comeback trail of Zverev

Over the past 12 months, a deep feeling of absence began permeating throughout the halls of the men’s tennis tour. Already suffering from the demise of Dominic Thiem, tennis was already reeling from the collapse of the finest aspects of the men’s game since 2017. To add insult to injury, Alexander Zverev sustained an ankle injury in mid 2022 and spiralled out of form and no longer seemed like the player he once was. Roughly 6 months later, Rafael Nadal sustained an abdominal injury in the 2nd round of this year’s Australian Open- ruling himself out of the remainder of the 2021 season. The top 10 of old: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev now seemed a remnant of the past.

The comeback

Tournament 1: Geneva Open 250: SEMI FINAL

A win over Eubanks in the round of 16, followed by a walkover against Wu in the quarterfinal. A semi-final showing against Nicolas Jarry was the end of the road that week in Geneva for Zverev.

French Open (grand slam): SEMI FINAL

Zverev truly announced himself to the world in the last week of May and first week of June. It was truly a week he will remember for a long, long time. In the round of 128, he overcame Lloyd Harris in 3 sets, followed by Molcan in the roundof 64 in a similar fashion. In the 3rd round, he defeated Tiafoe in 4 despite dropping the first set. In the fourth round, Zverev overcame Dimitrov in straight sets, followed by a 4 set win over Etcheverry in the quarter-final. However, his dream-like run came to an end in a 3 set loss to Casper Ruud.

Halle Open 500: SEMI FINAL

A straight set win over Dominic Thiem in the round of 32-followed by a defeat of Shapovalov in the round of 16 and Jarry in the quarter-final booked Zverev a spot in the semi-final. His run ended here in the semi-final

German Open 250: CHAMPION

This was the week that saw Zverev capture his first title since 2021. At home in Germany, Zverev won every set enroute to the title. In the round of 32, Zverev defeated Molcan 6-0 6-3. In the round of 16, it was Marterer who was put to the sword, 6-3 7-5. In the quarter-finals, it was prodigious talent Luca Van Assche who was defeated 6-3 7-5. In the semi-finals? Another out of this world, star of tomorrow in Arthur Fils. Despite this, Zverev dispatched Fils 6-2 6-4.  Waiting in the finals? Laslo Djere of Serbia, who was ultimately defeated 7-5 6-3

Cincinatti Open: SEMI FINAL

In the round of 64, Zverev beat Dimitrov 6-2 6-2. In the round of 32, Zverev defeated Nishioka 7-5 6-4. In the round of 16, in the biggest win in Zverev’s comeback tour, Zverev shocked many to defeat Daniil Medvedev in 3 sets (6-4 5-7 6-4). Into his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in over a year, Zverev then defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-2 6-3, before falling to Novak Djokovic in 2 tight sets in the semi-final

US Open: QUARTER FINAL

The US Open was truly a continuation of the emphatic form that Zverev displayed over a meteoric 2 month period. In the round of 128, Zverev defeated Vukic in straight sets. In the 2nd round, Zverev defeated Altmaier in 4 sets. Waiting in the wings yet again was Grigor Dimitrov- who Zverev managed to dispatch in 4 sets, despite dropping the first set. Waiting in the 4th round was arguably the toughest opponent Zverev had beaten at grand slam since mid 2022. In a match for the ages, Alexander Zverev announced his return to the world in a thrilling 5 set victory over top 10 player Jannik Sinner. Unfortunately, his run came to end in a tight 3 set affair against Alcaraz. This match finished with one of the more deceptive scorelines you will ever see, with Zverev being in front in the majority of games played in all 3 sets.

Chengdu Open: CHAMPION

In yet another triumphant display, Zverev managed to beat 4 quality players in a row to win yet another title in last week’s Chengdu Open. This was Zverev’s second title in a triumphant 2 month period