‘I want to win the real Davis Cup’ – Alexander Zverev snubs tournament return
Alexander Zverev is opposed to the current format of the Davis Cup and will once again be absent from the event after not competing in 2019.
The so-called ‘World Cup of tennis’ underwent a major revamp in 2019, condensing the World Group stage of the contest into one location and one week.
This year, the event returns after a hiatus in 2020, with matches taking place across three European cities; Innsbruck, Austria, Turin, Italy and Madrid, Spain.
Olympic gold medallist Zverev disagreed with the initial format shift in 2019, opting not to represent Germany. He has chosen to do the same again this year, citing his belief that the Davis Cup is not what it was.
“The format has to be changed and I’m sticking to that,” the world number four said in a tournament press conference at the Vienna Open.
“I am someone who keeps his word. I want to win the Davis Cup, but I want to win the real Davis Cup.”
Zverev has played for Germany in four previous seasons of the Davis Cup from 2016 to 2019. In 2019 he competed in the qualifying rounds but no further.
As such, Germany field a team without the 24-year-old. World number 53 Jan-Lennard Struff, 62nd ranked Dominik Koepfer and 86th ranked Peter Gojowczyk helm the singles. In doubles, two-time Roland Garros champion Kevin Krawietz and 25th ranked Tim Puetz team up.
?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ??@DTB_Tennis | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/fH2ezvQUFN
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) October 25, 2021
The event gets underway starting 25th November, with the final taking place 5th December in Madrid. 18 teams are taking part including defending champions Spain.
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