Alexander Zverev has been struggling with mental issues for some time. The German top tennis player said on Tuesday after his surprising Wimbledon elimination against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech that he is considering therapy.
Zverev lost in the first round in five sets to Rinderknech, ranked number 72 in the world. The world number three said at the press conference that he has not been in a good mental state since his lost Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner in January.
“I feel lonely at times, both on and off the court. I’ve been struggling mentally since the Australian Open,” Zverev said. “I’m trying to find ways to crawl out of this black hole, but I keep falling back.”
The 28-year-old Zverev is considering professional help. “For the first time in my life, I probably need therapy. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had to deal with the judgment of the media. And with the problems of life in general.”
Zverev was referring to the lawsuit over the abuse of his ex-girlfriend in 2020. The former Olympic champion had to pay a hefty fine. Since then, Zverev has regularly been confronted with his past by tennis fans.
‘The euphoric feeling is missing’
Zverev says he is desperate. “I don’t know anymore. I’ve never felt so empty. I just miss the fun in everything I do. And that’s not just about tennis. This also plays a role in my daily life.”
Zverev won one tournament victory this calendar year. He was the best on the gravel in Munich in April. Recently, he reached the semi-final and final at the grass tournaments in Halle and Stuttgart respectively.
“I recently won many matches in Halle and Stuttgart, but even those victories don’t give me the feeling that I used to get. I used to be very happy with such performances. It made me even more motivated.”
Zverev says that he has been missing that euphoric feeling for a while. “That’s just missing with me at the moment. It’s the first time in my life that I feel like this.”