US Open: Mental Problems: Zverev accepts professional help

Tennis star Alexander Zverev, according to his unusually open words in Wimbledon, has accepted professional help about mental problems. “It’s a process. This is not over within a week or two,” said the 28-year-old at the US Open in New York.

“I think that’s something you have to work on for several years,” said the Hamburger. “That is what I do.” When asked what kind of help he accepts, the world ranking in third did not answer. “I feel much better,” he said. He was on the right track. “I really enjoyed being back on the tennis court.”

After completing his first round in Wimbledon, Zverev reported that he was mentally in a hole and it was difficult for him to find joy outside the tennis court.

The people in the team? “Super”

He spoke of a feeling of loneliness in his life and lack of motivation on and off the square. He may need therapy for the first time in his life. He also announced that something had to change with him that did not necessarily have to do with tennis.

“At the end of the day I also had to look a little at myself,” Zverev said in New York. The time to Wimbledon “very, very good”. “I went on vacation, was completely away from tennis, didn’t play a tennis, didn’t train.” He spent a lot of time with friends and flown “fresh” to prepare for Mallorca.

After his break, the Australian Open finalist trained in the academy of the former world ranking first Rafael Nadal in Mallorca, but permanent collaboration with his uncle Toni did not initially come about.

In New York, Zverev is again accompanied by his father Alexander Zverev Senior and his brother Mischa. The people around him are “great,” he said.

Zverev speculates: painkillers as the reason for cincinnati problems?

Zverev could not say exactly what exactly was behind the physical problems he had last at the tournament in Cincinnati. A blood count showed that his values ​​were actually okay. “I don’t know exactly. I think I have taken too many pain relievers and maybe made myself a little bad, I’ve had back pain for the last few weeks.”

Zverev is the great hope in the German fuselage contingent in New York. In the draw, German number one received the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo as an opponent for the start.