“It could have been a clump of clay”- Chris Evert reveals the actual reason for Alexander Zverev’s horrific injury at the French Open


“It could have been a clump of clay”- Chris Evert reveals the actual reason for Alexander Zverev’s horrific injury at the French Open

Chris Evert and Alexander Zverev

Chris Evert, a Eurosport analyst, has delivered her instant reaction to Alexander Zverev’s forced retirement due to injury against Rafael Nadal. Also, according to her Alexander Zverev’s ankle injury may have been caused by a “clump of clay” at the back of the court.

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In a tense semi-final, Rafael Nadal and Zverev faced battle, with the Spaniard capturing the first set. In the second set, though, they went back and forth, with both players dropping service four times before a tiebreak appeared imminent. Nadal won the final point to force a tiebreak, but only after Zverev appeared to have seriously twisted his ankle.

Also Read: “Slow conditions are bad” Rafael Nadal defends the French Open surface after the freaky accident of Alexander Zverev

With the crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier deafeningly silent, the world No 3 collapsed to the ground in anguish, writhing and sobbing in pain. The harshness of Zverev’z injury was quickly apparent and he ended up needing a wheelchair to exit the court. Alexander Zverev returned to the court on crutches after a few minutes in the treatment room, retiring from the match. Zverev’s foot got trapped on the clay surface before bowing beneath his torso, according to replays of the incident.

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“When you heard those cries you knew it was serious”- Chris Evert on Alexander Zverev’s injury

Chris Evert and Alexander Zverev
Chris Evert

“When you heard those cries you knew it was serious,” she said on Eurosport. “My mind wandered to that big summer of Wimbledon and US Open and whether he is going to be able to play or will he miss those.”

“The thing with Zverev is that he was really coming into his own, he was playing so well this whole tournament, the wins he had – what about Alcaraz, what a big win for him. He had chances in the first set against Rafa, Rafa looked a little bit tired which is understandable. It could have been a clump of clay, who knows? Towards the corners where they don’t move as much sometimes, you can get clumps of clay just like on grass where it is more slick in the corners, “ she added.

“You could tell right away that this man was not going to finish the match. He was really in it, he was playing well. Even in his own mind, he was saying in the press that he is not 21 anymore, ‘I am ready to win a Grand Slam’. You thought that this could be his chance, ” the 18-times Grand Slam champion went on to conclude.

Also Read: “To see him crying was a tough moment”- Rafael Nadal chokes up and pays tribute to Alexander Zverev after his nasty injury

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