Tennis - Paris not in danger after all - Zverev's dream of "goosebumps"
Alexander Zverev can look forward to his "Gaesehautmoment." His dream of a second Olympic gold medal and the flag-bearer honor now seems to be in danger due to his slump at Wimbledon. His older brother Mischa Zverev (36) gave reassurance.
The left knee is not as bad as previously feared, according to the results of another examination. Even a participation in the sand court tournament in his hometown Hamburg in the coming week is "on the schedule," brother and manager Mischa Zverev told dpa on inquiry. The gold medalist from Tokyo can still plan for Paris. At the opening ceremony on July 26, Zverev would like to lead the German delegation of over 450 athletes as flag bearer.
Zverev in the running with Dennis Schröder
"One feels a little like the captain of the team. That's the goosebumps moment in itself. There's no better moment in sports," the 27-year-old gushed in "Sport Bild." He has put himself in the running for a role where Dennis Schröder, captain of the German basketball team, would also be the main actor. Zverev explained: "It's the greatest honor you can have in sports when you're nominated to lead an entire team and thus an entire country into the games."
One day after the opening ceremony, the Olympic tennis competition begins, where Zverev hopes to triumph again, as he did three years ago. However, the dream was in danger on Tuesday when his brother hinted at a more serious scenario. There was a suspicion of something worse, he had said on the streaming platform Prime.
On Tuesday, approximately 40 milliliters of fluid and blood were removed from Zverev's knee during a doctor's visit in London. "Whether it's a bone tumor or a tear or whatever, one has to look at how long it takes. But then, Olympics are in danger," Mischa Zverev explained.
"So much bigger than anything else in sports"
Now everything remains as Alexander Zverev said after his fifth-set exit in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon due to pain in his left knee. On Monday, the fourth-ranked player in the world was significantly impaired by knee pain in his five-set loss to Taylor Fritz of the United States.
As a diagnosis, the native of Hamburg named a bone edema and a tear in the capsule. For Paris, he will be ready, he made clear: "I want to win Paris." In Hamburg, he could prepare himself again for sand court tennis after the grass season.
The special significance that the Olympics hold for him, Zverev has repeatedly emphasized almost prayerfully. Three years ago at the games in Japan, he etched himself into German tennis history with a success that neither Boris Becker nor Michael Stich had achieved. "I can't compare it to anything. It's so much bigger than anything else in sports," Zverev said then.
- Despite his slump at Wimbledon, Alexander Zverev can still aim for gold in Paris, as reassured by his brother Mischa Zverev.
- Mischa Zverev, manager and older brother of Alexander, mentioned that his knee issue might not be as severe as initially feared, potentially allowing him to participate in the Hamburg tournament.
- Alexander Zverev spoke about the "goosebump moment" of representing Germany as flag-bearer in the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, a role he would share with Dennis Schröder, captain of the German basketball team.
- Dennis Schröder and Alexander Zverev are both contenders for prominent roles in the Olympics, with both athletes expressing the immense honor of leading their respective teams and countries.
- The Olympics in Paris, where Zverev hopes to defend his title, faced a potential threat when his brother suggested a more serious injury, hinting at a bone tumor or tear in the knee.
- On Tuesday, during a visit to a London doctor, approximately 40 milliliters of fluid and blood were removed from Zverev's knee, adding uncertainty to his participation in Paris.
- Alexander Zverev highlighted the significant influence the Olympics holds for him, stating that his victory in Tokyo was unlike anything else in sports, "so much bigger than anything else."
- After his fifth-set exit at Wimbledon due to knee pain, Zverev emphasized his determination to win in Paris and prepare for sand court tennis in Hamburg to prepare for the Olympics.
