Alexander Zverev is out of the 2022 French Open due to an ankle injury

Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 player, was forced to withdraw in the second set of his match against Rafael Nadal, the No. 5 seed, after suffering a horrific ankle injury.

The pair had been involved in an enthralling battle for three hours and thirteen minutes without even finishing the second set, but it came to a disappointing end when the German had to withdraw.

In 2021, Zverev won six medals, including a gold at the Tokyo Olympics. He is, however, still looking for his first huge victory.

During Friday’s semifinal, Zverev rolled his ankle brutally during a rally with Nadal. Zverev appeared to plant his ankle awkwardly on the clay court as he attempted to reach Nadal’s forehand.

He collapsed to the ground, wailing in agony, and remained there for a while with Nadal by his side before being assisted up and wheeled off the court in a wheelchair.

Heartbreaking scene in Paris.

Get well soon, @AlexZverev 💙 pic.twitter.com/0uRd6PxPMm

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 3, 2022

At the time of Zverev’s injury, he and Nadal were in the thick of a thrilling encounter. Nadal had won the first set 7-6 in an incredible 10-8 tiebreaker, and the second set was tied at 6 when Zverev was injured.

In his post-match interview, Nadal wished Zverev well, adding the 25-year-old is well on his path to collecting Grand Slam titles.

Feel better soon, @AlexZverev#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/llsywA21jY

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022

There is no formal timeframe for Zverev’s return as of yet. However, given the seriousness of the injury and the fact that Wimbledon begins in little over three weeks, it appears like Zverev’s chances of competing at the All England Club are in risk.

Zverev’s retirement on Friday was the first time the 25-year-old has ever quit from a Tour-level main draw match, according to NBC’s coverage.

Throughout his professional career, Zverev has been quite healthy. He has, however, had to overcome his fair share of scrapes and bruises, as have many tennis players.

In 2018, he battled through a hamstring injury to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open. He has never advanced so far in a Grand Slam tournament before. However, he was defeated in straight sets by Dominic Thiem.
“With these types of muscular injuries, you don’t know for two or three days,” he was reported in the German press as saying. “I’m going to go home and do nothing until I figure out exactly what it is. I’m hoping it’s nothing major.”

In April, Zverev told reporters that he felt “restricted” after losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters. After suffering a leg injury in his quarterfinal win over Jannik Sinner, Zverev needed medical care.

Zverev had been ill during his match against Casper Ruud at the Miami Masters in March and had to withdraw.

“I became unwell in Miami. I hurt myself a little here. So I get the impression that things are happening outside of my control, which irritates me,” Zverev remarked.