Alexander Zverev recounts horrifying injury versus Rafael Nadal after making RG semis

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Alexander Zverev says he is "happy" that he has been able to make a very successful return to the same venue where just 12 months he suffered the most serious injury of his career. In the 2022 French Open semifinal, Zverev and Rafael Nadal were in the middle of a great and tight battle when the German collapsed - started screaming in pain - exited the court in a wheelchair - later missed the remainder of the season after tearing several ankle ligaments.

On Wednesday, Zverev defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4 to progress into his third consecutive French Open semifinal. After the match, Zverev revealed that he was still in pain in the first four months of the 2023 season and that he "played on one leg." Also, Zverev revealed that he is finally mentally at a place where he is not thinking about the injury anymore.

Zverev recalls his injury, says he is not thinking about it anymore

"I couldn't play for the first seven months of my injury. Then for the next three, four months I was still in pain, so I wasn't pain-free. I wasn't able to move the way I wanted to.

But, I mean, sometimes it's also just reminding yourself of who you were and what kind of matches you have won in the past. I think that is important sometimes as well. But, again, I think I'm at a stage now where I'm not thinking about the injury so much anymore.

I'm not thinking about what happened. I'm just happy to be back where I was last year, and I have another chance. Hopefully, I can take it. Being pain-free. It took longer than expected. Still, beginning of the season, I mean, Australia I was playing on one leg still.

Then I think until basically Indian Wells, Miami, I was still in pain at times," Zverev said, per Sportskeeda. Returning to the French Open and making a strong run after the injury could be the game-changer for Zverev.