"Obviously, I will still try to be present at the US Open, even if it will be very, very short", explained Alexander Zverev Thursday during a press briefing organized in Hamburg, as the last Grand Slam of the season begins. in just over two weeks in New York.
At the latest, he hopes to make his return to the courts for the Davis Cup group stage in his hometown of Hamburg from September 13 to 18, against France (14), Belgium (16 ) and Australia (the 18th).
In the Roland-Garros semi-finals on June 3, the 25-year-old German was forced to retire before the start of the second set tiebreaker against Rafael Nadal, as the two players fought an epic battle of more than three hours of gameplay.
On a support, Zverev's right ankle completely turned, the player left the Philippe-Chatrier court in a wheelchair and returned a few minutes later on crutches and in tears to formalize his abandonment (7-6 (10/8 ), 6-6).
Medical examinations carried out a few days later revealed the tearing of the three external ligaments of the right ankle, an injury which required a passage on the operating table and a period of rehabilitation.
Two months after his operation, Zverev was able to play tennis again on Sunday, without pain by his own admission, but without putting too much pressure on the recovering foot.
Olympic champion in Tokyo last summer and winner of the end-of-season Masters in London in November 2021 (the second after 2018), Zverev is still chasing after a first Grand Slam title, after a US Open 2020 final lost to Flushing Meadows against Austrian Dominic Thiem.
© 2022 AFP