At the moment of his serious foot injury at the French Open, tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was very afraid that he would not come back.
“At first you think, of course, your career is over. You can’t move your foot, you heard the sound of breaking, there’s a certain fear there,” said the Hamburger in a documentary broadcast on July 20 by Pay- TV channel Sky.
Zverev twisted his right foot in the semifinals of the French Open against Rafael Nadal on June 3 and tore all three lateral ligaments in his right ankle. Then he had an operation. The rehabilitation in Donaustauf, where he trains with national handball player Timo Kastening (cruciate ligament rupture), is going well. “I’m in good shape for the circumstances and I hope to make a big step forward soon,” said the 25-year-old.
“Everyone has their own way”
He’s still thinking about the moment that blocked his dream of a possible first Grand Slam title and jumping to first place in the world rankings. “It’s in your head and you have to work through it. Like everything else, you have to try to clarify it in your head,” said Zverev. He is not the most patient person, but understands that he has to set small goals and celebrate small steps forward: “Everyone has their own way and that’s my way. I hope I can master it.”