The figure of the tennis circuit who returned to play after a serious injury suffered at Roland Garros

The Philippe-Chatrier, central stage of Roland Garros, shook on June 3 with the cries of pain of Alexander Zverev. The German, then No. 3, was playing a great match against Rafael Nadal, in the semifinals. The Spaniard had taken over the first set 7-6 (10-8) and was leading 5-6 and 40-30 in the second set, when the German ran to the right, twisted his ankle and was twisted in pain on brick dust. He was removed in a wheelchair, a few minutes later he returned helped by Canadian canes, greeted his rival and left the match. A few days later he was operated on for a ankle ligament tear and missed the remainder of the season.

Zverev, who had reached the finals in Montpellier and the Masters 1000 in Madrid during the first half of the year, planned his return to the tour several times (in July there was encouraging news after he posted a video taking small steps) but, not feeling full, the eventual return date ran until he resigned himself and thought about 2023. Finally this Thursday, 188 days after the injury suffered in the Bois de Boulogne, the player born in Hamburg was able to compete again. It is true that he did not do it in an official tournament, but he was quite similar.

The 25-year-old player, current number 12 on the circuit, reappeared in the Diriyah Cup, an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia that distributes millions of dollars in prizes and in which he beat the Austrian Dominic Thiem (currently 115th) in two tie-breaks, by 10-8 and 10-7. Also participating in the contest are the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (4th), the Russians Daniil Medvedev (7th) and Andrey Rublev (8th), the American Taylor Fritz (10th) and the Australian Nick Kyrgios (22nd).

Zverev, a 2020 US Open finalist, tore three external ligaments in his right ankle in the French Open semifinals against Nadal. Once he finishes playing the friendly tournament in Saudi Arabia, Zverev will resume the official competition in the United Cup, the new mixed team tournament that will start the 2023 season from December 29 in Australia, with his sights set on the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam, from January 16 to 29.

The injury suffered by Zverev

Winner of 19 titles, including the Masters tournament on two occasions (2018 and 2021), Zverev was one of the top favorites to fight at the top of the circuit, until a severe injury stopped him. Already recovered, he will be one of the players to keep in mind for next season.

Musetti, for the first time in Buenos Aires

The Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 23rd in the ATP ranking and owner of an exquisite one-handed backhand, will participate in the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires for the first time. The Buenos Aires tournament will be held from next February 13.

In addition, one of the two ATP 250 tournaments that Argentina has (the other is that of Córdoba, which will begin a week earlier), has already confirmed the presence of Diego Schwartzman (last champion) and Thiem, winner at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. in 2016 and 2018.

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