Alexander Zverev is supposed to play at the 2024 Hamburg Open, but he's still recovering from a knee injury he suffered at Wimbledon.
The German player was enjoying his best Wimbledon run in years, but unfortunately, a fall against Cameron Norrie caused him a knee injury. The German admitted to feeling pain after the match but opted to play his next match, and he almost won.
He took a 2-0 lead against Taylor Fritz but then lost in five sets, confirming after the match what exactly the problem was. Reports after his exit indicated that the injury was more complicated than it initially looked, and it was very bad news for Zverev.
He should be defending the Gold Medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics at the Roland Garros, and fancied his chances after making the Roland Garros final this year, but this injury is certainly going to make it harder for him.
His preparation for the Olympics is supposed to begin this week in his native Hamburg, but he has yet to confirm that he'll play in his hometown, as he confirmed when talking ahead of the tournament, as per SpilXperten.
"The knee is still painful. I am doing everything I can to be on the court on Tuesday. Today was the first time I was able to complete a decent two-hour training session. I still have a few limitations, but I'm doing everything to be 'ready'. Now it’s just about the pain and the limitations. If I no longer have them, I will play. That's out of the question."
Things are progressing in the right direction for the 27-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether he'll actually be ready to step onto the tennis court. He doesn't want to push too hard and worsen the injury.
"I still feel something, but I am confident that it will get better. Three days ago, I could barely walk. Now I can already train on the court. If it continues to develop like this, then I hope to successfully be on the court on Tuesday."
Coming from Hamburg, the ATP 500 tournament is very important for Zverev, and he admitted that he wouldn't have made the effort to play with such condition at any other than at his home event.
"At any other tournament, I wouldn’t even try to play. Hamburg is something special for me, my home. This was the beginning of my career. I want to celebrate many more beautiful moments here and defend my title on the court. I love Hamburg."
Being in Hamburg also means family reunion time for the former World No. 2, as he will be staying in his parents' house, spending time with all of his closest.
"Of course, I am staying with everyone at my parents' house. Most of them are arriving today, Saturday. My father, Sophia, and I arrived earlier. Micha and his family are coming only on Monday."
"Being together in the house is and will be a great atmosphere, and I generally enjoy my time here in Hamburg very much. There is almost a week between Hamburg and Paris. I will do everything to be successful in both tournaments."
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