Alexander Zverev, who violently twisted his right ankle and had to give up in full arm wrestling with Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros, spoke of "a very serious injury" without communicating a precise diagnosis Friday evening.
“It looks like a very serious injury but the doctors are still analyzing it”, declares the world No. 3, face marked, in his first speech since his retirement, in a video posted on social media around half past midnight.
Read alsoRoland-Garros: after the abandonment of Zverev, Nadal follows his destiny towards a 14th title
Zverev was injured on a resumption of support after a forehand hit at the end of the race.
He collapsed, rolled on the dirt floor screaming in pain and, a few minutes later, his face contorted with pain, was evacuated in a wheelchair.
He returned to the Center court leaning on crutches to formalize his abandonment.
The score was 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 in favor of Nadal.
Until he twisted his ankle, the 25-year-old German had been pushing the Spaniard to a record 21 Grand Slam trophies for over three hours.
"It's not an easy time for me"
“Very difficult moment on the court today (Friday), fantastic match until what happened (…) It is not an easy moment for me”, continues Zverev .
Read alsoNadal – Zverev: what time and on which channel to watch the Roland-Garros semi-final?
Asked whether the extremely wet conditions on Friday could have made the court, roof closed, slippery, Nadal estimated that the Tokyo Olympic champion had simply played "bad luck".
"I don't think there is a topic here.
The court is not in bad condition.
I don't think he twisted his ankle because of the court.
It was bad luck.
It was an accident.
It happens on all surfaces, ”considered the Mallorcan left-hander.
“He was really unlucky”
“It's very hard, I'm very sad for him, he had reacted earlier on the court.
He was playing an incredible tournament, I know how much he fights to win a Grand Slam.
He was really unlucky, but I'm sure in the future he will win, and not one, but many more.
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