Zverev finally playing pain-free after injury nightmare

FILE PHOTO: Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 19, 2023 Alexander Zverev of Germany leaves the court after losing in the second round against Michael Mmoh of the USA REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Alexander Zverev says he is finally playing pain-free and enjoying tennis again after a serious ankle injury and subsequent complications put an end to his 2022 season.

Zverev, 25, underwent surgery to repair torn ankle ligaments from an injury he suffered during the French Open semi-final against Rafa Nadal in June last year.

The German’s return was further delayed in September after he suffered from bone swelling. After returning to competitive action in December, Zverev lost in the second round of the Australian Open last month and Rotterdam last week.

However, the 2020 US Open runner-up said he is free from injury problems.

“I don’t have it in the back of my mind. A few weeks ago I still got signals from my legs,” Zverev told reporters in Doha. “It’s in the right direction, and I feel like I can play freely now.

“I felt like that in Rotterdam. I thought I played better in Rotterdam than the week before, even though I lost in the second round.

“I’m looking forward to the next few weeks, and hopefully I can get better.”

Zverev, who faces Andy Murray in the second round in Doha on Wednesday, said the prospect of being out for months as his bone edema problem was difficult to digest, but that the break from the game was much needed.

“I packed my bags and went on holiday,” said the former world number two. “I don’t do rehabilitation.

“It helped me, because my legs needed a rest. I tried really hard to come back, and maybe I was bitten too much.

“That’s in the past now, and hopefully we can move forward without any problems.”

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