Top Wimbledon star allergic to grass speaks out on health problem | Tennis | Sport

Alexander Zverev is not just battling his opponents at Wimbledon – but also a nasty grass allergy. The prestine greens and wreacking havoc with the No.2 seed’s sinuses as he targets back-to-back Grand Slam titles.

For a man who has problems with the surface, he sure likes to spend a lot of time on it. Zverev regularly struggles in the early rounds at SW19 and is no stranger to a first week five-setter.

Last year he suffered a shock five-set loss to Arthur Rinderknech in the opening round.

But this year is different. The 27-year-old is fully of confidence having won his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in May.

He beat Alexander Blockx in four sets at Wimbledon on Tuesday and then Valentin Royer in straight sets on Thursday.

With Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner in the other half, the draw has really opened up for Zverev. So long as he can keep his allergies in check.

“I have a bit of a stuffed nose,” Zverev said. “Again, I will not die from it. It doesn’t affect me playing. I’m fine.

“Yeah, I think generally speaking you can’t compare the two years. Last year I was struggling a lot tennis-wise. Also, I was not playing really well.

“This year I’m coming in as Roland Garros champion. I think the mindset is just very different, playing-wise very different. Of course I hope to continue my good form.”

Zverev revealed that he is allergic to grass in the build-up to this year’s Championships.

“I feel super. It is just a problem that we play on grass and I have a grass allergy,” he told said after sneezing. “I have it every year.”