For the first time in my life, I might need therapy," Zverev admits mental health struggles after Wimbledon exit
Alexander Zverev crashed out in the first round of Wimbledon, losing in five sets to Arthur Rinderknech after a match that spanned two days.
The German, who had reached the final in Stuttgart and the semifinals in Halle, confirms his slump in major tournaments since his lost final at the Australian Open in late January. In a press conference, he admitted he wasn’t at his best mentally:
"I’d say it’s a mental issue. There are moments when I feel extremely alone. I suffer from it. Mentally, I’ve already said I’ve been struggling since the Australian Open. I don’t know. I’m trying to find ways to pull myself out of this hole because I keep falling back into it. Overall, I feel quite lonely right now, which isn’t very pleasant.
Maybe for the first time in my life, I’ll need therapy. I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in my personal life and in the media spotlight. I’ve never felt this empty before. I lack joy in everything I do.
It’s not just about tennis. I lack joy outside of tennis too. Even when I win matches in Stuttgart or Halle, it’s not the same feeling I had before. I used to be happy and motivated to keep going. This is the first time in my life I’ve felt this way.
Wimbledon