"First, you think your career is over" - Zverev on horror injury

Saturday, 23 July 2022 at 09:00

Updated at Wednesday, 04 December 2024 at 18:22

bySam Frape

Alexander Zverev is on the road to recovery following a horror injury at the 2022 Roland Garros, but the German spoke about how it felt at that moment.

It was a scream that will live in tennis fans' heads for a long time. Tumbling down to the floor during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal on the Court Phillipe Chatrier, onlookers' hearts were in their mouths, not knowing the severity of the injury.

Following scans and treatment, the German started a recovery plan which may have him ready in time for this season's US Open in August. It would be a comeback that would be very much welcomed on the tennis tour, with the German being missed by fans and players likewise.

However, speaking to Sky Germany, he reflected on how the injury felt at that moment, as well as the following days and weeks, Zverev opened up about how it made him doubt his future on the tennis circuit.

"At first, of course, you think your career is over. You can no longer move your foot, you have heard the sound of breaking. A certain fear is already there at that moment. It was just a bitter moment for me."

Thinking back to that fateful match, Zverev rued not being able to make it through for what would have been his first realistic and perhaps likely shot at Grand Slam victory.

"The match against Rafa, I still think it could go either way. Then a final against Caspar Ruud: I think I [could have done] it. A Grand Slam win, number one in the world and so on and so forth."

"I'm making important progress every day and I'm looking forward to the next tasks that will bring me closer and closer to the tennis court. An exact date for a comeback hasn't been set yet, but I'm working every day to make sure it happens as soon as possible."