Alexander Zverev talks about mental problems after Wimbledon-Aus

With his open statements about mental problems and possible therapy, Alexander Zverev surprised the tennis world and also his brother and manager Mischa. After the first round of the lawn classic in Wimbledon, the world number third spoke of feeling “very, very alone” in life and that he lacks the joy outside the tennis court.

“It is a feeling that you go to bed and you are not really motivated for the next day,” said the 28-year-old. “You don’t feel like waking up and going to work. I think everyone has the feeling that it doesn’t matter what job you have. As a athlete, it affects your performance.”

Zverev commented on a press conference two hours after the five-set defeat against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. When asked whether he needed therapy, the 28-year-old replied that this may be the case for the first time in his life. He had never felt so empty. “Something in me has to change, something that is not necessarily on the tennis court.” He hoped to be able to give more answers at the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, Canada at the end of July, what he would do.

The person who makes him happiest in life was his daughter Mayla, said Zverev. “But she is four. Usually it has to be the other way around, I have to give your energy, I have to make you happy and not the other way around. It can’t be.”

Zverev’s brother Mischa, ten years older, saw some of these statements as an expert of Prime Video in the late evening. “Nothing great has indicated that I will find out a lot of things from you too,” said the former professional.

You had already talked after the match, Mischa Zverev reported. “We talked about different things, also about positive things, also about the match. We talked about things that are fun and that we can do in the next few weeks. But that seemed to be positive.” The 38-year-old emphasized that he took his brother’s statements seriously. “I try to listen and then, if I can, help.”

Former professional player Andrea Petkovic can empathize with Zverev’s situation. “After a defeat, things come up that you can keep under the surface when you win,” she said. “The tennis player is generally a lonely sport. You feel alone on the tennis court, you feel alone outside. I also had a giant crisis with 28th.”