Alexander Zverev’s return to the court could be delayed by months after the German said he has suffered a bone edema issue, which forced him to withdraw from the Davis Cup finals group stage this week.

Zverev has not played since June after undergoing surgery to fix damaged ankle ligaments following an injury he suffered during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

The world No. 5 had been included in Germany’s squad for the group matches but was later replaced by Yannick Hanfmann. “I am very disappointed to miss out on playing this week,” Zverev told the Davis Cup website on Monday.

“I have a bone edema issue which causes me quite a lot of pain. Yesterday (Monday) in practice with Oscar (Otte) it got to the point where I couldn’t run or walk anymore.” “I subsequently found out that it was a bone edema, which means I won’t be able to participate here and it is not a question of days, it is more a question of weeks or most likely even months.”

Zverev reached a career-high ranking of world number two in June.