World number three Alexander Zverev says he ‘probably needs therapy’ after feeling ’empty and alone’ on and off the court.
The German was hoping for a productive run at Wimbledon but saw his hopes ended in the first round by Arthur Rinderknech.
It was one of the biggest upsets in the first round of Wimbledon, with Rinderknech defying his world ranking of 72 to stun three-time Grand Slam finalist Zverez.
Zverez showed admirable spirit to force a fifth-set decider but was unable to produce the goods in a gruelling contest that almost lasted five hours, ultimately losing 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.
The 28-year-old started the year by reaching the Australian Open final but just six months on has been left feeling ’empty and alone’.
Zverev was accused of domestic abuse by his former girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020 and by the mother of his child, Brenda Patea, in 2023.
He has repeatedly denied both sets of allegations and a Berlin court case brought by Patea was discontinued last year.
Asked about his drop-off since the Australian Open and whether he was struggling mentally or physically, Zverev said: ‘I would say more mental, probably.
‘I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally. I’ve been saying that since after the Australian Open.
‘I’m trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it in a way. I don’t know.
‘I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice.
‘It’s not a feeling on a tennis court, it’s just a life feeling in general. As I said, I never felt this way before. I don’t know. It’s difficult to find joy outside the tennis court for me at the moment.
‘It’s not an excuse or anything. I think Arthur deserved to win today. It’s nothing about that.
‘It’s something I’ve felt for the past few months. Again, I just feel generally very, very alone and very lonely. I don’t know. I’ve never felt that way before.
‘I don’t have the answers right now.’
Zverev was asked whether he had considered therapy given his struggles of late and replied: ‘Maybe for the first time in my life I probably need it.
‘I’ve been through a lot of difficulties. I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in the media. I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in life generally.
‘I’ve never felt this empty before. Just lacking joy, just lacking joy in everything that I do. It’s not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis, as well.
Despite struggling mentally, Zverev is still determined to win a Grand Slam, having come so close on three separate occasions.
‘I want to win a major, yes. I still feel like I’m one of the best players in the world,’ he said.
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