'Hearing those cries you knew it was serious' - Chris Evert on horror Alexander Zverev injury at French Open

ByDan Quarrell

Published 03/06/2022 at 17:07 GMT

With Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev's enthralling semi-final in the balance and already at three hours with the second set yet to be concluded, the German twisted his ankle in what was an awful injury and had to leave the court in a wheelchair. Zverev screamed out in pain to immediate alarm, and Eurosport's Chris Evert said she knew straight away how serious the injury was.

Eurosport expert Chris Evert has given her immediate reaction to the heartbreaking scenes as Alexander Zverev was forced to retire injured against Rafael Nadal.

Nadal progressed to the final at Roland-Garros, but with the match having been in the balance against Zverev at 7-6(2) 6-6 when the German had to retire hurt following a nasty ankle injury.

Zverev cried out in agony after going over on his right ankle, and the severity of the injury was immediately clear.

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The third seed had to leave the court in a wheelchair after being consoled by Nadal. After a short period, Zverev returned to the court on crutches to confirm his retirement from the match and leave his hopes of reaching the final in tatters.

For Evert, it was obvious how serious the injury was watching on, and she paid tribute to the German despite the heartbreaking nature of his retirement from the match.

"When you heard those cries you knew it was serious," Evert said. "My mind wandered to that big summer of Wimbledon and the 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, and Rafa looked a little bit tired, which is understandable.

'You knew it was serious' - Evert reacts to shock Zverev injury against Nadal

• 'To see him crying is a very tough moment' - Nadal upset by Zverev retirement
• Nadal into final, Zverev leaves court in wheelchair after shocking injury
• 'Just gut-wrenching' - Zverev injury horrible to see says Wilander

"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.

"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."

'Horrible to see' - Zverev hobbles off court on crutches as Nadal and crowd applaud

Speaking on Eurosport Germany, his brother Mischa said: "Sascha never cries! Something bad must have happened! That's impossible!

"The ankle was gone. That was an angle, in that position nothing can stick. He couldn't get up. He was really screaming."

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