"I did the X-ray, I managed with pain killers" - Alexander Zverev clarifies situation of his finger injury after reaching Italian Open 2024 final

Alexander Zverev booked his place in the 2024 Italian Open final with a hard-fought three-set win over Alejandro Tabilo earlier on Friday (May 17). Following his victory, the German gave an update on the finger injury he suffered during his quarterfinal match two days ago in Rome.

Zverev had a disappointing start to his semifinal match at the Foro Italico, surrendering the opening set 1-6 to Tabilo. The German then played a close second set that required a tiebreaker, which he won seven points to four. It was one-way traffic for the third seed in the decider, as he broke serve twice to register a 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 win to reach a third-career final at the Italian Open.

During the press conference following his victory over Tabilo, Alexander Zverev was asked whether he felt discomfort in his left-hand finger that he injured in the first set of his quarterfinal win over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday (May 14). The World No. 5 replied that he had undergone an X-ray scan recently, which showed no irregularities in his bones.

He also disclosed that he took painkillers ahead of his semifinal match at the Italian Open, before expressing satisfaction with the overall result.

"Yeah, my finger's pretty big. I think I tore a capsule, from what I understood. The one here. Don't ask me. I tore something. I don't know what it is. But I didn't break any bones, which is good," Alexander Zverev said during his press conference on Friday. "I did the X-ray yesterday. Yeah, my bones are fine. That's why I could play today."

"I managed the pain with pain killers, all of that.The finger is still very, very big. It was manageable. Obviously I'm happy that I could manage today."

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Alexander Zverev on the importance of Italian Open: "My first Masters 1000 title as a 20-year-old was here"

Alexander Zverev beat Novak Djokovic to win the 2017 Italian Open

Alexander Zverev will face either Tommy Paul or Nicolas Jarry for the men's singles title in Rome. During his press conference, the 27-year-old was reminded by a journalist about the fact that he won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in 2017 at the Foro Italico.

They would further suggest to Zverev whether he feels Rome will be the site of his first Masters-level title since his ankle injury in 2022. The German said he hoped so in his response, before expressing his admiration for the city in front of the media.

"Look, I hope so. If Rome is the place for firsts for me, then I'm happy about that," Alexander Zverev replied. "My first Masters 1000, as you said, as a 20-year-old was here. If this is my first Masters 1000 after the injury, I'm happy about that, as well."

"Especially at a place that I really love. Even outside of tennis, it's a city that I absolutely love and enjoy. So, yeah, if that's the case, I would be more than happy about that."