US Open News: Alexander Zverev withdraws with ankle surgery

He confirmed the news as his injury still plagues his health. Instead of the German, Rafael Nadal will enter as the tournament's second seed. Defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be top-ranked. 

Zverev sustained a severe injury during his semifinal match against Nadal at Roland Garros this year. Nadal, on the other hand, is recovering from his abdominal injury that recently sabotaged his participation in the Canadian Open in Montreal.

He withdrew from the semifinal match at Wimbledon, which initiated a long phase of his absence. He rejoined the world of tennis at Cincinnati but suffered a three-set defeat to eventual champion Borna Coric.

Nadal will not face Medvedev before the finals

The news that he will not encounter Medvedev until the final might increase his chances of advancing. Despite ongoing physical problems, he has not lost in a Grand Slam this year. 

The five-time former US Open titlist will be welcomed to Flushing Meadows after three years, and his last appearance in 2019 earned him the trophy. 

The 36-year-old was reportedly practising in America's midwest before returning to New York on Monday and resuming his practice at the Arthur Ashe stadium court.

Zverev's exit might motivate Nadal

Zverev's exit will strengthen Nadal's bid to conclude the year as the top-ranked player. If the Spaniard wins the trophy, he will become the world number one regardless of how the others perform.

He could climb to the top even if eliminated in the quarterfinal. As he does not have points to defend till the end of the year, he is a favourite to finish the season as the world number one for the sixth time in his professional history. 

When did Zverev get injured?

Zverev has been off the sport since June, when she suffered an injury against Rafael Nadal in the semifinal clash at Roland Garros. Before the second-set tiebreak, Zverev hurt his right ankle as he ran in pursuit of the ball behind the baseline. 

He was ushered out of the court in a wheelchair, and the world number two underwent surgery for three torn lateral ligaments in his ankle. Zverev had participated in 27 back-to-back Grand Slam main draws ever since his 2015 debut.

He was a part of seven successive US Open events, and other than being a runner-up to Dominic Thiem in 2020, he was a semi0finalist in 2021. 

American Stefan Kozlov slides into the main draw now that Zverev is out. The 24-year-old Floridian is to make his maiden appearance at the US Open main draw after being unable to qualify on six previous occasions.