Zverev, his “very serious injury”, his suspended career and his encouragement for Nadal – Liberation

The world number three posted a video overnight from Friday to Saturday on Instagram. If he gives very few medical details, the German player congratulates Rafael Nadal who left to “make history” on Sunday in the final against the Norwegian Casper Ruud.

Blue t-shirt, washed hair but marked features. Alexander Zverev gave his fans some (skinny) details about his injury after violently twisting his right ankle on Friday in the Roland-Garros semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

Posted after midnight on Instagram, the short video makes no mention of a precise medical diagnosis after this twist, the slow-motion replay of which caused even well-rested in his couch Friday evening to suffer. The German does not speak either of the delays which could be imposed before being able to play again. “It looks like a very serious injury but the doctors are still analyzing it.explains the player. We will keep you informed”.

Zverev was injured on a resumption of support after a forehand hit at the end of the race. He collapsed, rolled on the dirt floor screaming in pain and, a few minutes later, his face contorted with pain, was evacuated in a wheelchair. He returned to the Center court leaning on crutches to formalize his abandonment. The score was 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 in favor of Nadal.

Until he twisted his ankle, the 25-year-old German had been pushing the Spaniard to a record 21 Grand Slam trophies for over three hours. “Very difficult moment on the court today (Friday), fantastic game until what happened […] It’s not an easy time for me.”, continues Zverev on Instagram. Class, he congratulates Nadal again and says he is sure that the Spaniard “will be able to make history again” Sunday in the final.

“It was bad luck”

Asked if the extremely wet conditions on Friday could have made the court, roof closed, slippery, Nadal estimated that the Tokyo Olympic champion had simply played “bad luck”.

“I don’t think there is a topic here. The court is not in bad condition. I don’t think he twisted his ankle because of the court. It was bad luck. It was an accident. It happens on all surfaces.considered the Mallorcan southpaw.

“It’s very hard, I’m very sad for him, he had reacted earlier on the court. He was playing an incredible tournament, I know how much he fights to win a Grand Slam. He was really unlucky, but I’m sure in the future he will win, and not one, but many more.

Qualified for the Roland-Garros final on the day of his 36th birthday, Rafa will seek a fourteenth coronation there on Sunday against the Norwegian Casper Ruud, world No.8.