Alexander Zverev wants to play for the title at Wimbledon. But the Olympic tennis champion is in pain after reaching the round of 16 and is limping slightly. How fit he is is unclear.
Alexander Zverev’s chance of the first German Wimbledon victory in 33 years now also depends on his sore left knee. After the moment of shock on Centre Court, which for a split second brought back memories of his serious injury in Paris 2022, there was some relief. But how fit is Zverev? Preparations for the round of 16 on Monday against the American Taylor Fritz and the desired quarter-final debut at Wimbledon began with this anxious question.
Zverev books non-public training court
According to the signs, Zverev does not appear to have been seriously injured. The French Open finalist had booked a training court that was not open to the public for a stress test at midday, according to a statement in London at the third Grand Slam tournament of the season. The organizers planned the round of 16 of the only remaining German singles starter for the start of the second week as the second match on Center Court (2nd game after 2.30 p.m. German time/prime time).
Zverev left the world’s most popular tennis tournament, limping slightly and wearing a bandage on his painful joint. “I’m in pain right now,” admitted the world number four after his 6:4, 6:4, 7:6 (17:15) win against Cameron Norrie. But he speculated based on his own feelings: “I don’t think it can be that incredibly serious, otherwise I wouldn’t have carried on playing the way I was playing.” An MRI scan should provide clarity.
How does the knee react?
The “Bild” newspaper reported that the visit to the doctor had given him a slight all-clear. The tests on his knee were OK. Zverev now has to wait and see how his knee reacts. The man from Hamburg must then decide whether another visit to the doctor is necessary. Zverev’s team did not initially respond to a dpa query about the results of the tests.
The injury occurred on Saturday when Zverev ran to a drop shot at the beginning of the second set. He overextended his left knee and remained lying on the ground with a pained expression on his face.
Immediately, for a brief moment, some people recalled images of him twisting his ankle in the semifinals of the 2022 French Open against top star Rafael Nadal. In top form, he tore several ligaments in his foot and was taken off the court in a wheelchair. Will Zverev’s dream of his first Grand Slam title end mercilessly with an injury at Wimbledon too? Especially this year, when Zverev started so strongly in London?
This time, however, Zverev picked himself up again. He didn’t even take a medical time-out immediately after slipping. The German number one ended the third of a maximum of seven matches at London’s Church Road with a white bandage under his knee. But he didn’t take any painkillers, he said.
“Of course I was limited,” said Zverev. “I may not have chased every ball, but I still moved well enough to win against a difficult opponent in three sets. So let’s see what it is. I hope that I can be back on the court in two days.” He did not reveal which movements he felt pain in. He also wanted to keep it from future opponents like Eastbourne tournament winner Fritz.
Zverev is working for his Grand Slam dream
Zverev has big plans for Wimbledon this time. The shocking moment came at the end of a first week with statements about Zverev’s best start to a Grand Slam tournament, with talk about the most open field in 20 years and discussions about the immense title chance. With his first appearances, Zverev confirmed that he can be trusted to win the tournament at the most prestigious venue in his sport as the first German since Michael Stich in 1991.
After Wimbledon low points with early failures in recent years, Zverev has overcome his antipathy towards grass. And with an impressively consistent and powerful serve, he has an important key to success in his repertoire.
“I am working to achieve my big dream,” said the German number one in men’s tennis after the Norrie match, referring to the hunt for the first Grand Slam title.
“I feel good on the court. I feel like I have the ball in my racket well and I want to continue playing tennis like this,” he said. “Let’s see what my knee says. If I’m healthy and can continue playing like this, then it will be an interesting tournament for me,” he hoped.
Source: Stern
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