Alexander Zverev reveals why French Open injury nightmare was ‘toughest moment’
Alexander Zverev has revealed missing out on the chance to become world No 1 made his 2022 French Open injury nightmare the “toughest moment” of his career.
Zverev tore his ankle ligaments in his semi-final encounter against eventual Rafael Nadal, with the Spaniard leading a tight contest 7-6(8), 6-6 when the German slipped at the back of the court.
With defending champion Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev – ranked first and second at the time – already out of the event, world No 3 Zverev had a chance to rise to the top of the ATP Rankings.
However, his injury not only ended those hopes but also ended his entire season.
Speaking in a video with racket sponsor Head, the 27-year-old opened up about how difficult it was to miss out on that opportunity.
He said: “I mean, 2022 at the French Open was the toughest moment of my career.
“I was one match away from being world No 1, playing probably the best tennis of my life against the greatest clay court player to ever live in Rafael Nadal.
“And it was a tough moment for me, because even if I lose the match, right, it’s Nadal – anything could happen. You can lose at the French Open to him, I mean everybody has lost [to] him before. So it’s not a surprise, even if you lose.
“But, knowing in the back of my mind I need to win one match within three months to become world No 1, that was difficult for me.
“And obviously being in a cast and not being able to not only play, but just simply to walk and do daily things, that was tough.”
ATP Tour News
‘Carlos Alcaraz did something very few players have been able to do in 2024’
‘I lost 18 times against Rafael Nadal – it’s a huge regret not to have beaten him’
Zverev finished 2022 as the world No 12, though fell outside the top 20 of the ATP Rankings in the opening months of 2023.
However, the German then returned to the last four of Roland Garros that season, falling to Casper Ruud in straight sets, and ultimately finished the year as the world No 7.
Zverev finished 2024 back at his career-high of world No 2, having won Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Bercy – alongside reaching the final in Roland Garros.
The German admitted that he did not feel he could win his 2023 match versus Ruud, but believes he has returned to the very top of the game since then.
He added: “A year later, then being in the semi-finals, it was a great moment – it was definitely a great moment.
“At the same time, I was not where I was before the injury, where I said: ‘OK, I’m in the semi-finals, and I feel like I can win the tournament.’
“I feel like in the semi-finals I’ve reached my limit, which is difficult to say and difficult to admit, but that was the case, it was back then – which is completely different now.
“I have the feeling, I’ve won big tournaments again. I’ve made semi-finals, finals of big tournaments as well, so I’m happy where I am.”
