Alexander Zverev delivered a memorable semi-final at the French Open against eventual tournament winner Rafael Nadal. But at the end of the exhausting second set, the best German tennis player twisted his ankle and had to give up. A little later, the Hamburger reported with a first, sobering diagnosis. What’s next for Zverev?
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev announced a first diagnosis via Instagram on Saturday evening, just one day after his surrender in the semifinals of the French Open.
The 25-year-old twisted his ankle when the score was 6: 6 in the second set, the first he had handed over to Rafael Nadal 6: 7.
Preliminary diagnosis: “As it looks after the first tests, I tore several lateral ligaments in my right foot,” said Zverev, whose right foot was packed in a special shoe.
Further investigations, which then also narrow down the exact downtime, are now to follow in Germany. He had traveled home specifically for this purpose on Monday.
Zverev decides with the medical team how to proceed
Zverev stated that he will “decide with my medical team what is the best way so that I can quickly get back on the pitch”.
However, it is clear that participation in the next Grand Slam in Wimbledon should already be more than questionable. The prestige tournament starts on June 27 and could come too early for Zverev.
As expected, the German has canceled his participation in the lawn classic in Halle/Westphalia (from June 13).
Sports elite suffers with Alexander Zverev
His brother Mischa Zverev, who accompanied the French Open for “Eurosport” in Boris Becker’s absence as a TV expert, was meanwhile convinced, regardless of the exact diagnosis, that the third in the world rankings “will come back even stronger” and “even more adult, still calmer, more self-confident”.
Until then, Alexander Zverev will be accompanied by the recovery wishes of numerous sports stars. Bayern veteran Thomas Müller kept his fingers crossed for the tennis pro, as did basketball icon Dirk Nowitzki.
As Mischa Zverev also revealed, his brother also received the encouraging words from Boris Becker, who is currently in prison in England. “Boris said he followed what was happening in the tournament and wishes Sascha all the best and a quick and good recovery,” Mischa Zverev continued.
