Alexander Zverev credits Tennis Australia for setting Coronavirus safety protocols that make the Australian Open possible.
Still, the 2020 Australian Open semifinalist called the separate quarantine for stars in Adelaide "the only real mistake."
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Speaking to the media ahead of next week's ATP Cup at the Melbourne Park home of the Australian Open, Zverev said the Adelaide bubble gave an unfair advantage to stars, including world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, who were given more practice time.
"I think maybe the only real mistake that there was was the Adelaide thing for top players," Zverev told the media at Melbourne Park. "Because they did get more practice time, they did get more freedom. But other than that, the quarantine and the flights, we have to accept that.
"We have to understand that Australia doesn't have any COVID cases at all except for us tennis players and we shouldn't complain too much about the circumstances."
The US Open finalist is scheduled to play Canadian No. 1 Denis Shapovalov in Germany's opening ATP Cup tie vs. Canada next Wednesday.
The world No. 7 also conceded he was "very surprised" by David Ferrer's decision to step down as his coach at the end of the 2020 season. Zverev said his father, Alexander Zverev, Sr., and brother Mischa Zverev are working with him and he believes he can win a maiden major with his family coaching staff.
"At the time I was very surprised with the decision in a way, but I need to respect the reasons," said Zverev. "I don't think it makes sense for me to look for anyone new during COVID-19 either. I think we left everything open with David.
"I think with my dad and with my brother more involved now, I have a great coaching team. I think I can win big tournaments with that coaching staff that I have."
Photo credit: Andrew Ong/USTA/US Open Facebook