Preparation for US Open: Zverev talks about mental problems: “Small burnout”

Alexander Zverev just flat and laughs. Then he talks about a “little burnout” for the first time. A good four weeks after his round-round debacle in Wimbledon, Germany’s best tennis professional again gives deep insights into his soul life. “I was not very motivated to play. I didn’t really want to train. I didn’t enjoy my time on the pitch,” says Zverev in the “Nothing Major” podcast.

A review. It was July 1, when the 28-year-old had disclosed mental problems after his disappointment with the most important rasis tournament in the world. In London, his statements extended far beyond the action on the tennis court, beyond clever balls, beyond victories or defeats.

He felt “generally already spoken quite alone” in his life, the Hamburger said. It is difficult for him to “find joy outside the tennis court”. He is looking for ways to “get out of this hole,” he said. And announced that they could give more answers at the tournaments in Canada.

Zverev: “I’m fresh in my head”

In Toronto, he is now talking in the podcast, recorded before the tournament start, and asks the questions. With his mental problems, he speaks of the time after the lost final at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year. He had no chance against the Italian world ranking list of Jannik Sinner. It was a difficult moment because he felt clearly inferior.

Zverev has granted several times that he made false decisions after the defeat. “Instead of driving home, resting me and working up what happened, I was only at home for three days and then went straight to a tournament in Argentina,” Zverev now explained self -critically. “That was a mistake. I paid the price for that”.

Zverev retired to Wimbledon from the competition tennis for a month, for him an unusual long time without a match. The tournaments in North America now form the preliminary run before the next Grand Slam event, the US Open, which started on August 24. The next big goal.

“I’m fresh in my head,” reports Zverev and speaks about a so far “terrible year”. Instead of expressing doubts, Zverev is again combative and confident that the top favorite Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) can be able to dispose of the US Open title.

Zverev confidently in hunting the Grand Slam title

“Maybe I’m not playing my best tennis in Canada or then in Cincinnati. But when the US Open starts, I will be a title candidate again,” says the Olympic champion of 2021.

In Toronto he is in position one and plays against the Australian defending champion Alexei Popyrin to move into the semi -finals. In the round of 16, the task of the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo helped him, who could not continue playing at 6: 4 and 1-0 for Zverev because of an abdominal muscle strain.

The German hugged his opponent warmly, spoke to him and comforted him. Zverev had previously lost to Cerundolo three times, never won.

Toni Nadal as a trainer? “From next year probably more often”

Zverev is accompanied in Canada as usual by his father Alexander Zverev Senior. However, the junior is now open to external help. In preparation for the North America tour, he trained in Mallorca in Rafael Nadal’s academy with his uncle Toni.

“I don’t know if you will often see Toni by my side this year. His schedule is quite full. But from next year you could see him much more often,” says Zverev.

With the world star Rafael Nadal he ate several times in Mallorca. Zverev enthusiastically revealed the passion with which Nadal gave him tips. “He believes that I can win a Grand Slam, but only when I play brave. I know that, but it’s something else to hear from him,” says Zverev.