Zverev Says he Likely Has 'Several' Torn Ankle Ligaments

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2022 Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2022 Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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Zverev Says he Likely Has 'Several' Torn Ankle Ligaments

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2022 Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2022 Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Alexander Zverev said on Saturday that he has "several torn lateral ligaments" in his right ankle after suffering the injury during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

The German world number three turned his ankle while trailing Nadal 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 on Friday, screaming in pain before retiring from the match minutes later.

"Based on the first medical checks, it looks like I have torn several lateral ligaments in my right foot," Zverev wrote in an Instagram post.

"I will be flying to Germany on Monday to make further examinations and to determine the best and quickest way for me to recover.

"I want to thank everyone all over the world for the kind messages that I have received since yesterday."

The 25-year-old said on Friday night that he thought it was a "very serious injury".

However, if there is no fracture, he will be hopeful of returning this season, AFP reported.

Wimbledon gets underway in just three weeks' time, but the US Open in New York does not start until August 29.

Zverev is still waiting for a maiden Grand Slam title, despite winning five Masters trophies and the ATP Finals twice.

Friday was his fifth major semi-final and he lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem, having led by two sets.

Nadal, the 13-time champion, will face Norwegian Casper Ruud in Sunday's final at Roland Garros.



Pro-Palestinian Supporters Stage Protest at French Football Federation over Israel Game

This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
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Pro-Palestinian Supporters Stage Protest at French Football Federation over Israel Game

This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)

Pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest Monday at the French football federation to call for the cancellation of a Nations League game between France and Israel this month.

Video footage of their action posted on social media and circulating in French media showed protesters inside the federation's headquarters in Paris lying on the floor or holding placards with political slogans and Palestinian flags.

Some protesters also chanted: “No, no, no to the France-Israel game at the Stade de France.”

The French soccer federation did not immediately respond to a request for comments from The Associated Press.

According to local media, the demonstrators were calmly evacuated by police.

French authorities confirmed last month that the match would go ahead with fans allowed in the stadium after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.

The Nov. 14 match at the Stade de France will be played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.

Israel's match against Italy was the first match the country has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.

All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including a game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.