Zverev raises alarms: "I started to notice discomfort in my ankle in the previous match"

Alexander Zverev has endured a tough match against Alexander Bublik to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Shanghai, where he will face Alex De Minaur. Additionally, the German player showed discomfort in the ankle he injured against Yibing Wu, something he explained in the post-match press conference and raised alarm bells.

It is important to note that after Carlos Alcaraz's defeat yesterday, the German player has ensured he will be number 1 until 2027. Although he has yet to surpass Jannik Sinner in the rankings, in the coming weeks 'Sascha' will fulfill another of the great dreams of his career, albeit with caution. In fact, Alexander has confirmed that he hasn’t retired from a match because he has never done so except for that unfortunate match against Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros 2022, where he suffered a serious ankle injury.

Zverev explains why he decided to play despite his ankle discomfort

I began to notice discomfort in my ankle in the previous match. Then during the warm-up, I felt fine. At the beginning, in the first set, I also felt good; I was okay. But as the match progressed, towards the middle of the second set, the situation began to worsen a bit. But, you know, I have never retired from a tennis match in my life, except at Roland Garros 2022, when I really couldn't walk. So I want to maintain that streak; I don’t want to retire without reason. But well, I managed to push through and win, and I’m happy about that.

Match played against a cannoner like Bublik

Especially when we play on a surface like this and use balls that sometimes have serves reaching 220, 224, or 225 km/h, there aren’t many long rallies or much rhythm in play. But that is also part of tennis. When I started playing —and I say "when I started" because it was over ten years ago—, many surfaces were like that. That’s why I also enjoy this type of match and encounters. In short, today I’m glad to have won.

Zverev speaks after knowing he will officially be number 1 until 2027

The emotions will come when I really see the number 1 next to my name. I think that will definitely be something special. For now, I’m still the number 2 in the world —ironically—, and the fact that I will reach number 1 at the end of the year has been, of course, due to Jannik's withdrawal, unfortunately. But yes, I believe that when it happens, it will be a special moment for me.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev enciende las alarmas: "Empecé a notar molestias en el tobillo el partido anterior"