Alexander Zverev is into the French Open final for the first time in his career and has come a long way from leaving the court in a wheelchair.
Zverev will face Carlos Alcaraz on Court Phillipe Chatrier on Sunday in a bid for his first Grand Slam title.
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The 27-year-old’s record at Roland Garros has been remarkably consistent, considering the gruesome injury he suffered on the red clay in 2022.
Zverev was facing Rafael Nadal in the semi-final and the fans were witnessing what promised to be an all-time classic.
The game had not even gone two sets when the clock ticked over the three hour mark as the pair went toe-to-toe.
The German then rolled his ankle as he was sliding to reach the ball and let out a horrifying scream.
There was immediate concern for Zverev as Nadal checked on his opponent. He was then taken off court in a wheelchair, before returning on crutches to confirm that he would have to withdraw from the match.
Speaking in his on court interview, Nadal said: “I’ve been there in a small room with Sascha before we came back on court and to see him crying there is a very tough moment so all the best to him.”
Zverev himself even feared the worst when he initially suffered the injury.
He said in December 2022: “When the accident happened, the first thought was, ‘Your career is over. What if something is broken that you can never come back from or will never come back from?’”
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He required surgery to repair his ligaments and subsequent setbacks meant his 2022 season was completely derailed.
When asked about the low points in his recovery, Zverev said: “Definitely, I think there were a few of them. But the one was really when I thought I was healthy and when I thought I could come back in the Davis Cup.
“And the actual injury was also healed, but then I was told that the bones are not ready for the strain. Because I had extreme bone damage, had bone edema, and also a stress fracture in my bone at some point.”
Zverev admitted he was not full pain free until the following February and remarkably managed to come back and reach the semi-final of Roland Garros 12 months ago.
Now he has gone one better and reached the final.
Zverev’s involvement in the French Open itself has caused controversy amid a backdrop of a court case in Germany.
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The court case against him for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend was terminated after a settlement was reached.
The 27-year-old was contesting a penalty order and fine of 450,000 euros issued last October.
Zverev had always maintained his innocence and the settlement did not include an admission of guilt.
It has been four years since the allegations first surfaced, and Zverev said: “I told you so from the start. I told everybody. I’m happy that it’s over.
“Nothing else more to say. That’s it. Four years. I’m happy about that.
“Done. We move on. I never ever want to hear another question about the subject again. That goes out to everybody.”