Alexander Zverev: “I’ll come back when I feel like I can win”

A month and a half has passed since that fateful afternoon when Alexander Zverev He seriously injured his ankle in the Roland Garros semifinals against Rafael Nadal. Since then we have not heard much about the Hamburg tennis player, only that he is dedicated to his recovery, although at the moment no one dares to predict the date of his return. In a recent interview with eurosport germanythe current world No. 2 was cautious in that regard, without confirming whether or not he will arrive in time for the next US Open.

recovery underway

“The healing process is evolving very positively, I carry out a series of daily processes so that all deadlines are met. I can’t wait to learn about the next tasks that await me and continue to get closer to that moment when I can step on a tennis court again. We have not yet determined an exact return date, but I work every day so that it arrives as soon as possible”.

tedious routine

“The days go by very slowly, really. I start very early with my activities and I don’t finish until the evening. We do many exercises and we are constantly adding new ones, we try above all to work on the mobility of the foot, rebuilding strength and stability in that area. There are cases where you even have to re-learn how to walk and start running little by little. I already do sprinting exercises in the water, in addition to other training sessions on the treadmill and bicycle.”

Maximum caution for your return

“I don’t want to think about the dangers, although professional athletes always face those risks, even in everyday life there are dangers. My team and I are very focused on work, concentrated to the maximum so that there are no problems. Of course I want to train as much as possible, but you shouldn’t overdo it. I have to listen to my body carefully, to know when I am at the limit. I’m used to giving my best every day, whether it’s training or playing, exceeding those levels now can be counterproductive.”

Return date?

“I want to win all the tournaments I play, that’s my character, I don’t go to events just to participate. I will play when I feel like I can win that tournament, not based on the type of tournament or the category of the tournament. I don’t know if the first one I play will be a Grand Slam, but I’ll come back depending on my comfort on the court, that’s the most important thing”.

The partner who encourages you the most

“The one I have the most contact with is Dominic Thiem, we are always commenting on what is happening. We both want to get back to our best form, although I still have the open wound from our last Grand Slam match.”