Alexander Zverev after earlier bankruptcy in Shanghai with hard self -criticism

After another disappointment

Zverev with hard self -criticism: “all -round terrible tennis”

At the Masters in Shanghai, Alexander Zverev had to cope with an early defeat. Then he found clear words about his game.

Alexander Zverev practiced hard self-criticism after an early defeat at the master tournament in Shanghai in Chinese. After the 6: 4, 3: 6, 2: 6 defeat against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, against whom he had failed in the first round of Wimbledon, Zverev said that his performance was “unfortunately nothing unusual”.

“I just have no self -confidence, no belief in my blows,” he analyzed and then went on: “My year was terrible, I just play all -round terrible tennis.”

Zverev noticeably goes on the gums in the late phase of the season. In his tedious two -round victory over the qualifier Valentin Royer, he had sued for pain on the right toe – and the back has also caused him problems for weeks. The high load demands its toll, not only at Zverev.

Many top players apparently only carry themselves towards the last big highlight of the year-the ATP FINAL in Turin in November. Carlos Alcaraz, for example, had canceled participation in the Shanghai tournament despite the 1000 world ranking points to be awarded due to “physical problems”-and then criticized the full diary. Something has to change urgently, the world ranking listened.

And then there is Alcaraz ‘big rival Jannik Sinner. He started in Shanghai, but left a worrying impression. In his third round match against Tallon Griekspoor, Sinner apparently limped with severe pain and fallen from the field on his racket – before he had to give up with an injury to the right thigh.

But not only the very best in the world rankings have to struggle with their body – the list of struck in the top 100 could be continued almost arbitrarily this autumn. Also for women. Which is why the stress discussion that has been smoldering for years flared up again. In particular, the top players hardly have time to regenerate, since only shortly after the last tournaments in November year after year, preparation for the first Grand Slam of the next year begins, the Australian Open in Melbourne in mid -January.

But the truth also includes: participation in highly doped showevens such as the “Six Kings Slam” in Saudi Arabia (from October 15) weaken the basis of argumentation of the star players. Zverev also wants to compete there – according to the current status. The trip in Shanghai, on the other hand, is over early for the 28-year-old.