Zverev Has Surgery on Torn Ankle Ligaments

Horror injury: Alexander Zverev fell and twisted his ankle during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal Tomas Stevens AFP
Horror injury: Alexander Zverev fell and twisted his ankle during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal Tomas Stevens AFP
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Zverev Has Surgery on Torn Ankle Ligaments

Horror injury: Alexander Zverev fell and twisted his ankle during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal Tomas Stevens AFP
Horror injury: Alexander Zverev fell and twisted his ankle during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal Tomas Stevens AFP

Alexander Zverev has had surgery on torn ligaments in his right ankle following his painful exit from the French Open semi-finals.

The German world number three turned his ankle while trailing eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the last four in Paris last week, screaming in pain before retiring from the match.

The 25-year-old did not say when he will be back on court, but looks certain to miss Wimbledon which begins on June 27. The US Open starts on August 29.

"We all have our own journey in life. This is part of mine," Zverev wrote to his 1.8 million followers on Instagram late Tuesday alongside a picture of him giving a thumbs-up from a hospital bed, AFP reported.

"Next week I'll reach a career-high ranking of number two in the world, but this morning I had to undergo surgery.

"After further examination in Germany, we received confirmation that all three of the lateral ligaments in my right ankle were torn.

"To return to competition as quickly as possible, to ensure all the ligaments heal properly, and to reclaim full stability in my ankle, surgery was the best choice."

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

Roland Garros last week was his fifth major semi-final. He lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem, having led by two sets.

"My rehab starts now and I'll do everything to come back stronger than ever!" he added.



Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
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Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)

Narrowly defeated by Paris St Germain at the Champions League quarter-final stage, Aston Villa are now focused on getting straight back next year into Europe's top club competition.

"I am very proud of everything we did in the Champions League," Villa boss Unai Emery said as the dust settled from a pulsating clash with PSG whom they beat 3-2 in Tuesday's second leg but lost 3-1 to in the first game for an overall 5-4 defeat.

Villa are seventh in the Premier League but only a point off fifth which would secure them a Champions League berth again.

"It is now most important to get Europe again. The most important competition is the Champions League. The challenge we have for the last six matches (of the Premier League) is to try and get Europe and the Champions League," Emery said.

His pride at Villa's strong showing, after a four-decade absence from Europe's elite, was tinged with frustration at just failing to pull off a remarkable comeback as they came so close to scoring a fourth goal at Villa Park that would have levelled the tie on aggregate.

"We were close," he said, adding that he had to push his team on to achieve ever more. "Still a little bit more to do better, to try to get it."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn, who scored on Tuesday, echoed the sentiment.

"Obvious disappointment but I am proud of my teammates, proud of the club. We have come a long way. We were so, so close tonight. We just fell a little bit short," he said.

"We had chances to take the game to extra time but we've got to be proud about the way we came back against one of the best teams in the world, to fight to the end. We want more. We want to be back here next season and we will try our best to do that."

McGinn said the players gave their all against a superb opponent. "We never gave up. It was chaos, but we gave absolutely everything and I think every Aston Villa supporter will leave with a huge sense of pride," he said.

"I've never played against Real Madrid or Barcelona, but in my career they (PSG) are the best team I have faced. I'm getting old and I certainly wouldn't like to play against them every week."