Tennis fans left gutted over Alexander Zverev news ahead of US Open
Alexander Zverev has announced his withdrawal from the US Open as he continues his recovery from the ankle injury he suffered at the French Open.
The World No.2 hasn't played since June after tearing ligaments in his ankle in his semi-final clash with Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros.
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Earlier this month he suggested he was targeting a return at the US Open, but on Monday it was confirmed that he won't be able to play.
A statement on the official US Open website read: “2020 US Open finalist Alexander Zverev will miss the 2022 US Open.
“The 25-year-old German officially withdrew from the event on Monday as a result of a continuing ankle injury.”
Zverev made the US Open final in 2020 but lose to Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets.
He also reached the semi-finals in New York last year.
Officials announced that Zverev's place in the main draw of the August 29-September 11 grand slam will be taken by American Stefan Kozlov.
Zverev had played in 27 consecutive grand slams since his 2015 debut before the injury forced him to miss Wimbledon.
He has been named in Germany's team for the group stage of the Davis Cup finals next month.
Fans were left heartbroken for Zverev after his official withdrawal.
Get well soon Sasha!#LetNovakPlay
— Alf (@el_comandante5) August 22, 2022
So sad he won't play US Open. :(
But I have high hopes you'll come back stronger Sascha! Keep going ❤️— Precious | All for Isabel (@my_precioussss) August 22, 2022
This is so sad .. it won't be exciting as much 😭
— 🇵🇸 Maha Shaheen🇵🇸 #GazaUnderAttack (@mahashaheen) August 22, 2022
Sad to see Opelka, Zverev and Monfils all out of this years @usopen.
Ben Rothenberg was worried about Americans Kozlov and Sock potentially playing qualifiers he need not worry in as they are now both in the main draw. https://t.co/rWyUSrCoGy— Pavvy G (@pavyg) August 22, 2022
So sad that Zverev can’t play the US Open.
— Gandoki (@wilI_of_fire) August 22, 2022
Feeling gutted
— Lanre Sowande (@lanre_sowande) August 22, 2022
Novak Djokovic's participation still up in the air
Zverev might not be the only top-10 men's player absent from the year's final grand slam, with Novak Djokovic still unable to enter the United States.
Djokovic is unlikely to be able to play because of his refusal to get the Covid-19 job, with US authorities requiring all overseas visitors to be vaccinated.
The 21-time major winner was forced out of last week's Cincinnati Masters and the Montreal Open earlier this month for the same reason.
However there is a glimmer of hope for Djokovic after the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that it was no longer recommending those not to have been vaccinated quarantine upon exposure to the disease.
“Prior infection and vaccination confer some protection against severe illness, and so it really makes the most sense to not differentiate with our guidance or our recommendations based on vaccination status at this time,” said CDC scientist Dr Greta Massetti.
The CDC also said in a statement: “In the coming weeks, the CDC will work to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission, and travel, with today’s update.”
The announcement effectively means that unvaccinated Americans are now being given the same guidance as those who are vaccinated - a change that some see as an indication that border rules will also soon be relaxed.
Meanwhile, Reilly Opelka, who won two titles earlier this year, also withdrew from the US Open Monday because of injury. The American reached the fourth round of the US Open last year.
Fellow American Jack Sock took his place in the main draw.
with agencies
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