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Alexander Zverev delivers fitness update after shock Shanghai Masters semi-final defeat

Alexander Zverev has shared an update regarding his physical condition following a loss in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The match included a moment in the second set where umpire Mohamed Lahyani issued Zverev a time violation.

Despite the semi-final loss, Zverev has secured the year-end number one status for 2026 and will start 2027 as the world number one. Addressing his current condition after the match, Zverev explained that fatigue played a major role in his performance.

"First, I'm not a robot, I'm a human being, I get tired," Zverev stated. He added, "After the US Open, I had one day off in total.

I think I played a lot of tennis, which is very, very positive because that means I played well."

Zverev noted that his energy levels had been dropping throughout recent rounds of the tournament. "I personally feel like I was quite flat since the Bublik match, because I was losing energy," Zverev said.

Evaluating his recent form leading into the semi-final defeat, he remarked, "I played a phenomenal match against Alex de Minaur, but today I was flat. Even in the first set, even though I won the set, I was flatter, I was not reacting so well.

I was returning quite badly."

Reflecting on the demands of the tour and his overall output, Zverev declared that he "overachieved" at the Shanghai Masters by advancing to the semi-finals given the fatigue from his dense playing schedule. Reminding reporters of the physical strain players face, Zverev stated, "We're all human beings, even the best players in the world."

Following his victory over Zverev, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina advances to the Shanghai Masters final, where he will face Rafael Jodar on Sunday.

This report also draws on coverage from BBC Sport.

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