HALLE, Germany — In a shocking turn of events at the Terra Wortmann Open, world No. 4 Alexander Zverev abruptly left the court mid-match during his second-round clash with Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, citing sudden illness in an incident described as "something I’ve never experienced before."
The German star, a two-time champion at the Halle grass-court event, appeared visibly distressed after just three games against Cobolli. After holding serve to level at 1-1, Zverev signaled to the chair umpire and rushed off the court without explanation, leaving spectators and his opponent bewildered. Tournament officials later confirmed he had withdrawn due to "medical reasons."
A Sudden Collapse
Zverev, who recently reached the French Open final, had shown no signs of physical distress during warm-ups or the opening exchanges. However, after the first changeover, he began clutching his stomach and breathing heavily. "I felt extremely dizzy, and my vision went blurry," Zverev later explained in a press conference. "I knew I couldn’t continue."
Medical staff attended to the 27-year-old off-court, where he was treated for dehydration and low blood pressure. Tournament director Ralf Weber described the scene as "highly unusual—we’ve never seen a player react this way without prior warning."
Reactions from the Tennis World
The incident sparked immediate concern among players and analysts. Cobolli, who advanced via walkover, expressed sympathy: "I hope Sascha is okay. It’s scary to see someone like him, who’s so strong, suddenly struggle like that."
Former world No. 1 Boris Becker weighed in on social media, urging caution: "Health always comes first. Zverev is a warrior, but even warriors have limits. Wise decision to stop."
Possible Causes
Speculation swirled about the cause of Zverev’s collapse, with theories ranging from heat exhaustion to food poisoning. Key factors considered:
- Fatigue: Zverev played a grueling five-set semifinal at Roland Garros just 10 days prior.
- Heat: Halle temperatures exceeded 30°C (86°F), with high humidity.
- Viral Infection: Some reports suggested he had been battling a stomach bug earlier in the week.
Zverev’s team later clarified that he had experienced "a sudden drop in blood sugar levels," possibly linked to an irregular pre-match meal.
What’s Next for Zverev?
The withdrawal casts doubt on Zverev’s readiness for Wimbledon, which begins on July 1. His coach, Sergi Bruguera, remained optimistic: "He’s recovering well. We’ll reassess in 48 hours, but his health is the priority."
Zverev himself vowed to return stronger: "This was a freak incident. I’ll do everything to be ready for SW19." However, medical experts caution that sudden episodes like this often require thorough evaluation before resuming competition.
A Rare Occurrence in Tennis
Mid-match withdrawals are uncommon in tennis, especially without visible injury. The last high-profile case was Novak Djokovic’s retirement at the 2019 US Open due to a shoulder issue. Zverev’s abrupt exit, however, was uniquely alarming due to its unpredictability.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg noted: "Players often push through pain, but dizziness and vision loss are red flags. Zverev made the right call."
Conclusion
While Zverev’s withdrawal stunned fans, it underscored the physical demands of elite tennis. His quick decision to prioritize health over competition earned widespread praise, even as questions linger about his Wimbledon participation.
As the tennis world awaits updates, one thing is clear: "No match is worth risking your well-being," as Cobolli aptly put it.