Alexander Zverev makes Davis Cup U-turn to play for Germany after Acapulco disqualification for hitting umpire’s chair

Alexander Zverev has made a Davis Cup U-turn and can play for Germany this week following his disqualification in Acapulco.

He was fined the utmost quantity by the ATP Tour and forfeited his prize cash from the match. He might nonetheless face additional sanctions when a full investigation has taken place.

Zverev has not performed for Germany within the Davis Cup since February 2019 and has beforehand mentioned he wouldn’t participate within the competitors in its present format.

However he has now opted to play for Germany on clay in opposition to Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on March 4 and 5.

“We’re completely happy that Alexander shall be concerned,” mentioned Germany’s Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann.

“His behaviour in Acapulco was with out query unacceptable and improper. Alexander himself recognised that and apologised for it. We now need to assist him as a crew to get via this tough part.”

Zverev’s return means Daniel Altmaier drops out from the Germany squad.

The Davis Cup has been revamped in recent times and the winners are actually determined on the end-of-season finals held at a impartial venue.

Zverev was agency on his stance final yr when he mentioned he wouldn’t compete for Germany on the Davis Cup Finals.

“The format must be modified and I’m sticking to that. I’m somebody who retains his phrase. I need to win the Davis Cup, however I need to win the actual Davis Cup.”

The 24-year-old apologised after the incident, writing on social media: “It’s tough to place into phrases how a lot I remorse my behaviour throughout and after the doubles match yesterday.

“I’ve privately apologised to the chair umpire as a result of my outburst in the direction of him was improper and unacceptable. I’m solely disenchanted in myself.

“I’m going to take the approaching days to replicate on my actions and the way I can guarantee that it’s going to not occur once more. I’m sorry for letting you down.”

The Davis Cup qualifiers happen just a few days earlier than the beginning of the primary ATP 1000 occasion of the season in Indian Wells.

Who else is taking part in within the Davis Cup?

There shall be 116 gamers from 24 nations going down within the Davis Cup qualifiers this week, with the 12 profitable groups advancing to the Davis Cup group stage in September.

Zverev would be the highest-ranked participant collaborating, and shall be joined by world No. 8 Casper Ruud and world No. 11 Jannik Sinner.

Ruud will lead Norway as they face Kazakhstan whereas Sinner heads an Italian crew who shall be with out Matteo Berrettini for his or her conflict with Slovakia. Italy captain Filippo Volandri says it has been mutually agreed that Berrettini would skip the qualifiers with a view to returning for the subsequent stage of the match.

World No. 14 Diego Schwartzman is in motion for Argentina and world No. 28 Gael Monfils shall be making an look for France, having solely performed two Davis Cup matches within the final seven years.

Carlos Alcaraz might get the prospect to make his Davis Cup debut for Spain after lacking out on a spot eventually yr’s finals following a optimistic Covid-19 take a look at.

Alcaraz joins world No. 15 Roberto Bautista Agut and world No. 16 Pablo Carreno Busta within the crew. Rafael Nadal is just not within the squad after his win on the Mexican Open.

Nice Britain usually are not in motion as they’re one in every of 4 nations who’ve already secured their place within the group stage, together with defending champions Russian Tennis Federation, Croatia and Serbia.

Davis Cup qualifying fixtures

• France vs Ecuador (Pau)
• Spain vs Romania (Marbella)
• Finland vs Belgium (Espoo)
• United States vs Colombia (Reno)
• Netherlands vs Canada (The Hague)
• Germany vs Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
• Slovakia vs Italy (Bratislava)
• Australia vs Hungary (Sydney)
• Norway vs Kazakhstan (Oslo)
• Sweden vs Japan (Helsingborg)
• Argentina vs Czech Republic (Buenos Aires)
• South Korea vs Austria (Seoul)

When are the Davis Cup Finals?

The format has been rejigged once more this yr after participant suggestions.

The group stage shall be hosted throughout 4 cities (beforehand three) from September 14-18, shortly after the conclusion of the US Open. The Davis Cup Finals, which would be the quarter-finals onwards, will happen in a yet-to-be-announced venue from November 23-27.

The season will then end per week sooner than in 2021.

“Gamers and captains have been clear that they just like the adjustments to the format thus far, however need to keep away from the late end to the season,” match director Albert Costa mentioned in an announcement.

“The choice to maneuver the group stage to September addresses this.”