Tennis star Alexander Zverev has given an update on the extent of the horror injury he suffered against Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals.
When the injury occurred, the German was in the second set of his match against Nadal, with the scores at 6-6.
Zverev returned a forehand when, suddenly, his ankle twisted and gave way. The world number three crumpled to the floor. He immediately received medical attention, and it was clear that he could no longer carry on.
The German star was taken away from the court in a wheelchair. However, in a heartwarming moment for tennis fans, he returned to the court on crutches to shake Nadal’s hand and congratulate him on reaching the final.
How did the tennis star react to the injury?
After the injury occurred, Zverev sent a video message on social media to concerned fans. He stated: “It looks like I have a very serious injury. But the medical team and the doctors are still checking on it. We’ll keep you updated. We’ll let you know as soon as we know more.”
Nadal, meanwhile, said of his opponent’s plight: “Very tough. Very sad for him.
“Honestly, he was playing an unbelievable tournament. He’s a very good colleague on the tour. I know how much he’s fighting to win a Grand Slam, but for the moment, he was very unlucky.
“The only thing that I am sure is he [is] gonna win not one, much more than one. So I wish him all the very best, and very fast recovery.”
Alexander Zverev updates fans, confirms serious ankle injury
Alexander Zverev has now updated fans on the extent of his injury – and it looks set to rule him out of tennis action for some time.
Posting to Instagram, he revealed: “I am now on my way back home. Based on the first medical checks, it looks like I have torn several lateral ligaments in my right foot.
“I will be flying to Germany on Monday to make further examinations and to determine the best and quickest way for me to recover.
“I want to thank everyone all over the world for the kind messages that I have received since yesterday. Your support means a lot to me right now!”
Meanwhile, sports doctor Brian Sutterer MD has claimed that the injury looks to be “a standard inversion, or lateral ankle sprain”. In addition, he has also claimed that the 25-year-old may not need surgery.
However, doctors will continue to assess Zverev over the coming weeks to assess his availability for upcoming tournaments. Wimbledon starts on June 27, meaning he will surely be facing a race to be fit.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
