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
TT

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.



Mourinho Lays into ‘Man of the Match’ VAR after Fenerbahce’s Win

 Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
TT

Mourinho Lays into ‘Man of the Match’ VAR after Fenerbahce’s Win

 Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho said the Video Assistant Referee went from being the invisible man to the most important man on the pitch after several controversial decisions went against his side in their 3-2 Super Lig win at Trabzonspor on Sunday.

Trabzonspor were awarded two penalties in the second half following VAR interventions, and with the score tied a 2-2 late in the game Mourinho was incensed when a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel went unpunished.

The Portuguese coach suggested the VAR, Atilla Karaoglan, had missed the incident as he was drinking coffee.

Despite having late penalty claims waved away, the visitors got the win when Sofyan Amrabat scored deep into stoppage time, prompting the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager to race onto the pitch to celebrate with a knee slide.

"The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match," Mourinho told beIN Sports Türkiye.

"He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match."

Mourinho said Karaoglan should never be involved in officiating another Fenerbahce game.

"Isn't a red card on Bright, Karaoglan was what, drinking coffee at that time, didn't see that red card for that player?" he said.

"He was alert to give the two penalty decisions (to Trabzonspor) when the referee didn't give, then was having Turkish tea when it was a clear penalty for us and didn't give it.

"I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don't want him again."