Alexander Zverev parts ways with coach Sergi Bruguera ahead of French Open

The German star returned to action for the 2023 season following a long injury layoff after rolling his ankle in the 2022 French Open semi-final clash against Rafael Nadal.

The injury saw Zverev leave the court in a wheelchair before returning on crutches to officially concede defeat, and it kept him out for the rest of the season.

Upon his return, the 26-year-old Zverev has struggled to find form and this had led to differences of opinion with the Spanish mentor on how to handle his game post-injury.

"Sergi is no longer part of the team. It was always a clear plan that he is with me because my father didn't feel well in terms of health. We decided together with Sergi after Madrid a few weeks ago that we finish our work," said Zverez to Tennis Affinity.

Bruguera had been working with Zverez since May 2022, taking over from Alexander Zverev Snr, who could not do the job to ill health.

"My father, Sergi, and myself, we don't have the same opinion of how I should approach my tennis, how I should play tennis after my injury. I had another opinion, we tried."

"But he is a superb person. I don't have a single bad word to say about him. He helped me extremely [well for] one-and-a-half years ago until Paris last year, in times where my father was not there. I wish him nothing but the best for the future."

The world number 27 will be looking to put a disappointing Clay court season behind him, with Zverev himself admitting that he is "playing my worst tennis since 2015 or 2016," following his Italian Open loss.

"For me, I want to go back on my path and I want to be in this familiar environment again. The different opinions were perhaps a bit bigger than we thought after the injury. Before it was crystal clear how I should play tennis," he added.

I had confidence and courage on the court and for me it is time to find that back and there are different ways to achieve that. I didn't see this way for me now anymore," concluded Zverev ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season.