Davis Cup: Alexander Zverev stays with “No” to the final tournament: “Crazy

Alexander Zverev has once again categorically ruled out participation in the new Davis Cup final tournament at the end of 2019. “The timetable is crazy,” said Germany’s best tennis professional on Wednesday after his move into the last sixteen at the ATP Masters in Shanghai.

“I won’t be playing any more in November. I think all the top players will do the same. We have one and a half months break in the season, which is from November to December. We’re all tired.”

Already at the US Open and on the fringes of the Laver Cup Zverev had spoken out against a participation in Madrid, also against team captain Michael Kohlmann. “We had had a personal conversation, and he had already positioned himself similarly,” said Kohlmann at the time.

The first two editions of the radically reformed Davis Cup will be played in Madrid in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The date for the coming year is from 18 to 24 November. Instead of four rounds of home and away matches in the World Group spread over the calendar year to date, 18 teams will play for the coveted team trophy in a one-week tournament this week.

The four semi-finalists of the current season – France, Croatia, Spain and the USA – are set for the first round. Two wildcards went to Great Britain and Argentina. The remaining twelve participants will be determined in qualification games.

Germany will face Hungary in a home match on 1 and 2 February. There Kohlmann plans with the best team, so also with Alexander Zverev.