Zverev’s Phoenix-like Resurgence: From Injury Setback to US Open Challenge

Zverev celebrates a point won against Sinner (USA TODAY Sports).

Throughout history, the myth of the phoenix has seduced countless civilizations with its symbolism of hope, poise and regeneration. A miraculous bird that senses death and prepares it to rise from its ashes unharmed. His background is said to have inspired dozens of athletes to return to the elite after a negative period. And in tennis, the clear example of this is Alexander Zverev.

Just a few years ago, tennis fans were ecstatic with the way of playing that had led him to be the biggest threat to the Big Three and a gold medalist in the last Olympic Games. The steps in Zverev’s career were loaded with poise and solidity, but the one he took at Roland Garros 2022 against Rafa Nadal changed his course. That match began at an enormous pace and, if nothing changed, it would go down as one of the best matches in recent years on this surface.

After more than three hours of meeting, the equality was reflected on the scoreboard. 7-6 and 6-6 in favor of the Spanish. Nadal suffered to reach the final against a combative Zverev who finally had no choice but to leave the game due to injury. He hit a forehand ball from the back of the court with the misfortune of landing a poor ball with his right foot. The entire weight of his body fell on his ankle and caused him to tear up to seven ligaments. “It is very hard, very sad for him. He was playing an incredible tournament, he is a good colleague on the Circuit, I know how much he is struggling to win a Grand Slam and for now he has had bad luck, but I know that he is going to win many ”, Nadal stated after that match.

The world number one in tennis, Carlos Alcaraz, has three brothers. Two of them are also involved in the world of tennis

The blow was so hard for the German that, until almost a year later, I keep turning it over in his head. “It is not known what could have happened in that match, but for some reason he thought that he could beat him. I don’t want to sound arrogant. He felt like he was playing some of the best tennis I’ve ever played on clay. For some reason, it seemed to me that I could at least compete one-on-one with him, which is what I was doing. It is clear that the final result of a game also depends on small details, but I really felt that this could have been my week”, explained Zverev.

Zverev’s return to the courts has not been easy. “I was unable to walk for two months. You must internalize your movements again, learn to walk and run again. All of these are factors that can affect your tennis.” The German has been alternating great performances in recent months with matches where he has been unrecognizable, with hardly any mobility and showing himself to be very vulnerable with all his blows.

Zverev, on crutches after being injured in the match against Nadal in 2022 (REUTERS).

His best result this year has been the semifinals at Roland Garros, a tie he did not reach at the Australian Open – he fell in the second round – or at Wimbledon, eliminated in the third round. He has shown little confidence and unable to set the pace of the games, precisely one of the qualities that most characterized him. “It has been the most difficult year of my life, I have experienced too complicated things. I love tennis with all my heart and it was taken from me a year ago. I am happy to return and ready for something new and great, ”he acknowledged.

And what is bigger than conquering the big apple? After staying at the gates in 2020, losing the final to Thiem and reaching the semifinals in his last participation, Zverev is ready to conquer the US Open. He so far he has dodged the two big mines that he has had in his way. Both Dimitrov and Sinner, the latter after a marathon match, have succumbed to the resurgence of the German who now threatens the current tournament champion, Carlos Alcaraz.

“I played my longest match at the US Open against Sinner, it was incredible. It can be said that I am back. Those kinds of nights are what I live for, those are the games I love to be in. I would have loved to play a slightly shorter match, but I also remember everything I felt last year during the period when I couldn’t compete due to injury, missing precisely this kind of emotion. I’m here to play, this is what I love to do. I don’t know how all this will end, I just know that I am going to give my best effort as I have always done, fighting every ball until the last moment, ”he warned Carlitos.

Alexander Zverev will be the new obstacle to overcome by Alcaraz in his revalidation of the title. “I think everyone wants Sinner and I to play each other, because of the match against him last year. It was one of the best games I played in my career”, said the Spaniard. It will not be like that, because a revived Zverev has crossed the road.

2023-09-06 03:01:29
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