Alexander Zverev celebrated a successful start to the French Open. Before the tennis highlight, however, the 29-year-old had to cope with a personal stroke of fate – fortunately without any lasting consequences.
For Alexander Zverev, the tennis festival in Roland Garros started positively in many respects. The German not only won his first round match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi confidently, but also had his dachshund Mischka at his side again off the court.
Zverev revealed on Sunday why this is even worth mentioning: The four-legged friend had an accident on the sidelines of the ATP tournament in Munich.
“The idiot is eight months old. He doesn’t understand why he has to stay in the golf cart,” said the world number three: “He was on a leash, but he jumped out of the golf cart while it was still moving and broke four bones. And he broke both hips.”
Zverev said he spent the whole night in the hospital: “I didn’t know whether he would need surgery. I didn’t know whether he would ever walk again.”
Now everything is fine again. “He’s running again, he’s still limping a bit,” said the tennis star. Everything will heal well.
Weather advantage for Zverev at the French Open?
The recovered Mischka is now in Paris to accompany Zverev’s hoped-for attack on the title. The weather has also been playing along so far.
“I have always said that I prefer heat to cold weather, especially on sand,” emphasized Zverev. His whole game would then be more effective. “This 18 degrees and cloudy – that’s a disaster for me.”
The next few days are to Zverev’s liking – it remains hot, which “Eurosport” expert Boris Becker also sees in the spirit of the Tokyo Olympic champion.
“I think that’s an advantage for Alexander Zverev and perhaps a disadvantage for Jannik Sinner,” predicted the 58-year-old and added with regard to the tournament favorite: “He actually always has a hard time with high temperatures.”
