With a cast on his operated right foot, Alexander Zverev is already working on his comeback in the weight room.
The best German tennis player is still hoping for a timely return for the US Open at the end of August after tearing three outer ligaments at the French Open and subsequent surgery.
In the absence of the Olympic champion, Oscar Otte in particular now bears the burden of expectations of the German tennis men at the grass classic in Wimbledon.
"It's one of the most beautiful tournaments and I hope, of course, that I can build on my performances and maybe even score a few things," said the Cologne native after the 6: 7 (3: 7), 3: 6 against world number one Daniil Medvedev at the preparatory tournament in Halle, Westphalia.
After his second semi-final on grass in a row, 28-year-old Otte is among the top 40 in the world rankings for the first time in his career.
For Zverev, a good two weeks after twisting his ankle in the semifinals in Paris against Rafael Nadal, tennis games are still unthinkable.
"I don't do much, I lie on the bed with my dogs, but I also go to the gym twice a day," said the 25-year-old from Hamburg to "Bild am Sonntag".
“Right now I have to do everything sitting down.
Otherwise I'll go crazy if I don't do anything for too long."
In two or three weeks, Zverev will have another rehab with Klaus Eder, the former physiotherapist for the German national soccer team.
"But I won't be one who plays immediately if he's ready for it the first second.
If I play the US Open, it's not for one or two rounds, but to win it," said the second in the world rankings.
“I won't come back until I'm in this shape.
I don't know if it will be the US Open, because I have to play one or two tournaments before that.
I haven't checked off New York yet."