Representing one’s nation at the Olympics is like a dream come true moment for all the athletes. Everyone wants to have a taste of that yellow metal with their nation’s flag wrapped around their shoulder. However, only three players get the chance to stand on the podium in the singles event of the racquet sport. To win the gold, one has to climb above all! Is Alexander Zverev‘s knees fit enough to do that climb? Well, his brother, Mischa Zverev recently gave an update about his brother’s injury. Things aren’t looking too great as of now!

Zverev recently was defeated by America’s Taylor Fritz in the R16 of the Wimbledon Championships. It was a five-set thriller that continued for almost three and a half hours. During that match, the German was seen struggling a bit with the injury he got from his previous match due to a nasty fall after colliding with the umpire’s chair. He jarred his left knee in the process and was seen wearing a protective support on his leg. Alexander Zverev later revealed that he felt as if he was “playing on one leg” against Fritz.

Reflecting more on the current status of his injury, Zverev added, “I have a bone edema in my knee and I also have a torn knee capsule. It was caused by the fall in the match against Norrie. It’s nothing that needs surgery, it will heal on its own. But it’s quite painful now.” However, his brother Mischa Zverev gave an update on his brother via Amazon Prime. He said, “Sascha saw a doctor again. He took 40 millimeters of fluid from his knee. Unfortunately, there is now a suspicion of something worse. Tomorrow he’ll see the doctor again at home in Monaco.“

Mischa further went on to add, “More detailed pictures will then be taken. Maybe it’s more than a bone bruise after all. If it’s a fracture or a hairline fracture, we’ll have to see. But then, the Olympics are in danger.” This statement came as a bolt from the blue to all the German fans because Alexander Zverev has been outstanding this season. The world number 4 has already won one title this season and has a win-loss record of 40-12. 

It has been two and a half years since he secured one of the greatest achievements in his career by clinching the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo 2022. That was a moment in his career that he’ll perhaps cherish throughout his life. What does the Olympics mean to Zverev?

“Paris 2024 is a great goal” – Defending his Olympic gold medal is now a top priority for Alexander Zverev

Last year during an interview, Alexander Zverev expressed his excitement about entering the Olympic Village as a defending champion. He said the Olympics are always “very, very special” to him. To win the gold medal over there made him more ecstatic. Recalling those fond memories from this special event he added, “It is probably the biggest event of the year, in my opinion, in my eyes, because the Olympics is once every four years. It is special in that regard.” He defeated Karen Khachanov in the men’s singles by a 6-3,6-1 margin. What a moment it was for not only him but for the whole nation.

Alexander Zverev at that time, became the first German man to win a gold medal in singles. He was also the first German from the men’s division to win a medal since Tommy Haas at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. So, according to him, “Paris 2024 is a great goal. It’s a great honor for me to represent my country and be part of this.” He even enjoyed living inside the Olympic village last time. That’s something that tennis players don’t get the chance to experience often outside the Games. If Zverev plays, do you think he can retain his crown this year?