Zverev possibly seriously injured: Olympics in danger?
Alexander Zverev's knee injury at Wimbledon may be more serious than initially thought. A doctor visit in Monaco is expected to bring clarity, including his participation in the Olympics. Zverev is the defending champion in Paris.
Following his bitter exit from Wimbledon, there is a possibility of an Olympic first-round loss for Alexander Zverev. The 27-year-old German top player was deeply disappointed when his dream of triumphing at the All England Club was shattered in the quarterfinals. He didn't yet know that his knee injury might be more severe than initially assumed.
On Tuesday evening, brother and manager Mischa Zverev reported concerning news after a doctor visit for the Olympic gold medalist. Forty milliliters of fluid and blood were removed from the knee of the world number four. "And now there's somehow a suspicion of something worse," Mischa Zverev said on Prime Video. An examination in Zverev's hometown of Monaco is expected to provide clarity.
Uncertainty looms
"Whether it's a fracture in the bone or a tear or whatever, you have to look at how long it takes, but then Olympics are in danger," Mischa Zverev said. A triumph at the World Event in Paris had been Alexander's major goal after his bitter exit in London. "I want to play in Paris. Win and carry the flag," the gold medalist from Tokyo said: "I have three weeks, that will be enough." But now uncertainty looms.
"Sometimes you really start to believe that it wasn't meant for you," Zverev had bitterly lamented after giving his final press conference in the Wimbledon room with a pain-distorted face following his 6:4, 7:6 (7:4), 4:6, 6:7 (3:7), 3:6 loss against Taylor Fritz. He spoke of a "giant opportunity," which he had missed due to the injury.
Zverev felt ready for the grand coup at the grass-court classic and wanted to finally leave his mark on the trophy - instead of the great release and a historic triumph, frustration remained. Only at the thought of the Olympics did Zverev then flash a brief smile.
"Played with unbearable painkillers"
Once again, like in 2022 during the Paris semifinal drama, Zverev played at an absolute top level and was visibly ready for the matches against the big competitors yet to come. After the final at the French Open, the Rasen seemed to suit Zverev much better than before. His irresistible serve was a topic of conversation on the elegant court. However, a injury once again prevented the major opportunity and his first quarterfinal appearance remained out of reach.
"I played with unbearable painkillers," Zverev said: "My knee is relatively swollen and has a lot of fluid. It's not something that requires surgery and a longer absence." It's a matter of one to two weeks - should this be the case during the examination in Monaco, Zverev would surely be devastated.
After the concerning doctor visit, Alexander Zverev's brother and manager hinted at potential worsening of his knee injury, putting his participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris at risk. Despite his dream to defend his Olympic title and win in Paris, Zverev's prospects in tennis events, including Wimbledon and the Olympics, are now uncertain due to his knee injury.
