Zverev returns to competition in Acapulco, but he's not pain-free yet

Alexander Zverev returns to competition this week in Acapulco for the first time since withdrawing from Rotterdam with an ankle injury.

The 21-year-old German said of the injury to TennisTV, "I hope it’s going to get better, and I hope I’ll be pain-free," indicating that he is still experiencing some problems.

Zverev was miserable in a loss to Milos Raonic in the fourth round of the Australian Open, but he then won two Davis Cup matches against low-ranked opposition before his Rotterdam withdrawal. He says he's now lacking match play.

"I had to take Rotterdam off, unfortunately, and I was with a doctor that I’ve seen for a long time already," he said. "Every player has played more than me, basically."

Starting this week, he's "looking forward to really getting going" with back-to-back-back events in Acapulco, Indian Wells, and Miami.

"It’s a busy schedule with the Masters Series coming up, and also on clay I have a very busy schedule," he said.

Zverev is the second seed at Acapulco.

ATP/WTA Acapulco

• Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin del Potro and Sloane Stephens headline the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Monday, 2/25 at 5:00 pm ET.

ATP Dubai

• Watch Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Karen Khachanov live from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship starting Monday, 2/25 at 5:00 am ET

ATP Sao Paulo

• Tennis Channel Plus features live coverage of the Brasil Open beginning Monday, 2/25 at 10:30 am ET