“This trade must be the worst.” The USTA delivers terrible news to a Tennis star at the most inconvenient moment.

Zverev, a former world No. 4, has been on the mend since suffering a serious ankle injury during the French Open in 2022. After months of rehabilitation and training, he was finally set to compete in the upcoming U.S. Open series, a crucial stretch for players looking to gain momentum heading into the final Grand Slam of the year. However, the USTA’s recent decision to impose a controversial trade ban on certain player endorsements has thrown a wrench into Zverev’s plans.

Zverev said in a statement, “This trade must be the worst,” obviously annoyed by the ramifications of the USTA’s decision. A number of profitable sponsorship agreements that Zverev had obtained to aid in his recovery are impacted by the suspension. The announcement’s timing has drawn criticism because it occurs just a few days before the hard-court season begins, which is a crucial time for players looking to establish their rankings.