In spite of experiencing respiratory issues, Zverev advances to the semifinals in Cincinnati.
Alexander Zverev Struggles with Breathing Difficulties at Cincinnati Masters
Tennis pro Alexander Zverev faced some unexpected challenges during the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, as he battled breathing difficulties throughout the tournament. These issues were particularly evident in his quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton and his semifinal match against Carlos Alcaraz.
The $9.2 million hardcourt tournament in Cincinnati served as a warm-up for the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Zverev, the world number one, started the tournament strongly, winning his first three matches without dropping a set.
In the quarterfinals, Zverev defeated Shelton with a score of 6-2, 6-2. His forehand caused problems for Shelton throughout the first set. However, during the match, Zverev experienced breathing difficulties due to the heat and high humidity in Ohio. After a brief conversation with the doctor and physiotherapist, he continued to play.
Despite the setback, Zverev nearly had a perfect first set, breaking Shelton's serve twice. The match lasted for 77 minutes.
In the semifinals, Zverev faced Alcaraz. Once again, he struggled with his breathing, taking a medical timeout. However, he could not fully recover, resulting in a compromised performance and eventual defeat. The match ended with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in Alcaraz's favour.
Zverev publicly expressed uncertainty and concern about his health, revealing he was "not feeling too great" even after matches and acknowledging a need for recovery time. While explicit medical diagnoses are not provided, references to Zverev's long-term issues and his efforts to seek professional help for mental health challenges are noted elsewhere, indicating his difficulties may be multifaceted, involving both physical and mental components.
Zverev's breathing problems and related physical struggles significantly impaired his on-court performance, forcing medical timeouts and impacting his stamina and play style in key matches. His usual aggressive style and athleticism were hampered, leading to less effective movement and shot-making, especially noticeable in the semifinal loss to Alcaraz.
The finals of the Masters in Cincinnati are scheduled for Sunday (local time). Alexander Zverev will not be participating, as he will need to focus on recovering from his health issues before the US Open.
Alexander Zverev's breathing difficulties, first observed during his quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton, persisted in his semifinal encounter with Carlos Alcaraz, affecting his performance in the hardcourt tournament in Cincinnati, which is known for its sports like tennis. Despite being the world number one and starting the tournament strongly, Zverev's usually impressive tennis game was compromised, with his struggles evident in his matches against Shelton and Alcaraz.
