Tennis - Zverev with knee injury - Hamburg start unlikely
A start for tennis Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev in his hometown Hamburg as preparation for the Summer Games in Paris is unlikely due to his knee injury. The ATP tournament at Rothenbaum takes place from July 13th to 19th.
"I don't know. I have to check. I should play in Hamburg in eight days", said Zverev after his fifth-set quarterfinal loss to American world number 12 Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon. He had suffered a fracture and a tear in the capsule in his knee. It had even been an option for him not to play the quarterfinals.
The injury occurred in the round before against British player Cameron Norrie on a Saturday. The French Open finalist is now waiting for his first Wimbledon semifinal and his first Grand Slam title.
Olympic tennis on clay instead of grass
Zverev played his quarterfinal on Monday with painkillers, but he didn't want to take them "long-term", the 27-year-old also said about his Hamburg start: "I have to see how it develops."
For the Olympic Games in Paris, Zverev will have to switch from grass tennis to clay courts. The Olympic tennis tournament will take place from July 27th to August 4th at Stade Roland Garros, where the French Open is held every year.
"I want to play and win in Paris", said Zverev. "Three weeks are more than enough time", he declared with a laugh. He also plans to be the German flag bearer at the Olympics.
At the Summer Games in Tokyo 2021, Zverev won the gold medal in the singles event. He is planning to compete in the singles and the mixed doubles with Laura Siegemund for Paris.
Despite the knee injury, Alexander Zverev expressed his desire to participate in the ATP tournament in his hometown of Hamburg, expressing uncertainty about his participation eight days later. The tournament at Rothenbaum is scheduled from July 13th to 19th.
Unfortunately, Zverev's knee injury occurred during the round before his quarterfinal match against British player Cameron Norrie at Wimbledon, ruling out any chances of a strong showing in his hometown tournament.
The French Open finalist is now focusing on his Wimbledon semifinal and potential Grand Slam title, despite the pain he endured during his quarterfinal match with painkillers.
Zverev's injury has forced him to switch from grass tennis to clay courts for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, which takes place from July 27th to August 4th at Stade Roland Garros.
Despite the short turnaround time, Zverev is determined to play and win in Paris, with a goal of becoming the German flag bearer at the Olympics.
In a repetition of his past success, Zverev aims to compete in both the singles and mixed doubles events with Laura Siegemund in Paris, having previously won gold in the singles event at the Summer Games in Tokyo 2021.
Regardless of the challenges, Alexander Zverev's tennis career continues to be marked by his perseverance and determination, showcasing his enduring love for the sport and international tennis stages such as Wimbledon, Hamburg, and Paris.
