By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, July 15, 2024
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Alexander Zverev plans to defend both his Hamburg title and his Olympic Gold medal despite suffering a knee injury at Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old German star spoke to the media in his home city of Hamburg just before the start of this week's ATP 500 Hamburg Open, where Zverev is the defending champion. Though he did practice before the event, Zverev likely will not make a final decision on whether to play his first match on Tuesday until the last minute.
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"The knee is still painful. I am doing everything I can to be on the court on Tuesday," Zverev told the media, according to Danish news outlet SpilXperten. "Today was the first time I was able to complete a decent two-hour training session. I still have a few limitations, but I'm doing everything to be 'ready.'"
"Now it's just about the pain and the limitations. If I no longer have them, I will play. That's out of the question," Zverev added. "I still feel something, but I am confident that it will get better. Three days ago, I could barely walk. Now I can already train on the court. If it continues to develop like this, then I hope to successfully be on the court on Tuesday."
The World No. 4 ranked Zverev initially injured his knee at Wimbledon during his third-round win against the UK's Cameron Norrie. Though Zverev eventually reached the fourth round, the issue seemed to hamper him in that match, and he ultimately lost to Taylor Fritz, squandering a two sets to love lead to the American.
After the Fritz match, Zverev had his knee examined during a procedure where 40 millimeters of blood and fluid were removed from a damaged capsule.
"At any other tournament, I wouldn't even try to play," Zverev said. "Hamburg is something special for me, my home. This was the beginning of my career. I want to celebrate many more beautiful moments here and defend my title on the court."
Whatever happens in Hamburg, Zverev is committed to playing the Summer Games in Paris starting July 27. Zverev won the Olympic men's gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. He will play singles and mixed doubles with Laura Siegemund in Paris.
"There is almost a week between Hamburg and Paris. I will do everything to be successful in both tournaments."
Zverev is set to play Netherlands' Jesper De Jong in his opening round at Hamburg.
Quote Source: SpilXperten
Photo Credit: Getty Images