Zverev explains why he gets injured less than Alcaraz or Sinner

Jose Morón - 2 Oct 2026 | 11:00
ATP Alexander Zverev Carlos Alcaraz Jannik Sinner
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Zverev and Injuries. Photo: Getty

Alexander Zverev has made a distinction this year compared to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz through his physicality. While on the court he struggled to overcome his two biggest rivals at present, he has found something in which he excels compared to them: the way he works on his body and takes care of his physical condition is the key that has led him to win two Grand Slams this season.

Beyond tennis, talent, or who can play better on the big stages, there is another component that can ultimately decide a career. Preparing the body, knowing its limits, and avoiding injuries is also part of the elite. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, still much younger, have had to learn this the hard way during a physically challenging season for both. Wrist and knee issues have sidelined them for a long time, missing Paris and London for Carlos, and New York for Sinner.

Alexander Zverev, on the other hand, has been building a body prepared to endure a heavy load of matches for years, and there is not a season that does not end with a large number of matches under his belt, almost never suffering physical problems during any stretch of the season.

Alexander Zverev explains how he works off the court

“Yes, of course. I think that’s precisely why I do all this work. Tennis is a fundamental part, and we all know that on-court training is very important, because that’s where you end up winning or losing,” Alexander Zverev explained in words gathered by Tennis365.

However, the German wanted to particularly focus on everything that happens away from a tennis court. “But the physical aspect is something I have always been very proud of throughout my career. I have always tried to improve my physical capacity and take it a bit further,” he added. Zverev believes that a significant part of his current endurance comes from all those years of supplementary preparation. Gym work, running, and specific training off the court are part of a routine that, according to him, is becoming even more important as the years go by.

“The work in the gym, the running, and everything you do off a tennis court is where this part really comes in. I'm 29, I’m nearing 30, and I feel that my body responds. I’ve had that ankle injury and some small back issues and other things, but I feel that my body is there, that it responds, and having that feeling is fantastic,” the German explained.

 

 

The enormous number of matches for Zverev in 2026

The numbers justify Sascha because, almost always, he occupies the top position in the number of matches played throughout a season. Zverev has played 71 matches on the circuit this year, more than any of his main rivals. The German has participated in 16 tournaments and, despite such a heavy competition load, has not missed any important stretch of the year due to injury.

This does not seem exceptional within his career. Over the last five years, Zverev has typically ranked among the players with the most matches each season. When he has not directly led that statistic, he has remained very close to the top spots. Sascha plays a lot, competes practically all year, and rarely goes through long periods away from the courts.

The big exception was, of course, that serious injury suffered at Roland Garros in 2022. Zverev severely damaged his ankle during his semifinal against Rafael Nadal and had to undergo a long recovery process. Apart from that episode, the German has shown a remarkable ability to endure the demanding professional calendar. And that is precisely where one of the significant differences with Alcaraz and Sinner appears during 2026.

A lesson also for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Zverev is not claiming that there is a magic formula to avoid any injury, but it is true that athletes are often so caught up in the competition wheel that they frequently overlook working on other aspects that help conserve energy. In fact, this year Sinner “hit a wall” physically at Roland Garros after playing so many Masters 1000 without rest. Sometimes, less is more. The German emphasizes the importance he has given throughout his career to the physical work that accompanies pure tennis training.

While Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have had to deal with different physical issues in 2026, Zverev has been able to compete almost uninterruptedly. That continuity has allowed him to be present in the big moments of the season and take advantage of the absences or difficulties of his main rivals.

For Sinner and Alcaraz, still at 25 and 23 years old respectively, there can also be an important lesson in the German's experience. Reaching the highest level is only part of the challenge. Being fully fit at the decisive moments of the season is vital for performing in the most important venues. Because in a season like 2026, it has become especially clear that not only the player who plays best wins, and that physical conditioning is as important as any stroke for a tennis player.

 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev explica por qué se lesiona menos que Alcaraz o Sinner