Alexander Zverev fails in the first round in Wimbledon. After that, he speaks openly about his inner life. Germany’s best tennis player is desperate, but wants to get professional help.
Alexander Zverev spoke about mental problems after his round-round debacle in Wimbledon and announced a four-week tennis break. “I generally feel spoken quite alone in my life, which is not a nice feeling,” said the 28-year-old two hours two hours after his round of rounds. “I try to find ways to get out of this hole.”
The world ranking in third had previously lost 6: 7, 7: 6, 3: 6, 7: 6, 4: 6 against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. “It is not a feeling on the tennis court, it is a fundamental feeling in my life. I’ve never felt so much,” he said in a quiet voice. “It is difficult for me to find joy outside the tennis court.”
When asked whether he may need therapy, Zverev replied that this may be the case for the first time in his life. He had never felt so empty. He hoped to be able to provide further answers to the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, Canada at the end of July.
“I’m so glad that the match is over”
After the sporty debacle, Zverev had been shouldered his tennis bags and had sneaked off the Center Court with a tortured expression. After the demolition on the evening before at the 1-1 set, the 28-year-old lost to the French outsider Rinderknech in 4:40 hours.
At more than 30 degrees on the Center Court, Zverev showed a very weak idea for a long time after the game in the afternoon and was unable to take the serve to his opponent. The game had been canceled the evening before because in Wimbledon due to noise protection for the residents should not be played after 11 p.m. “I am so happy that the match is over. We started at 8 yesterday and stop at 7 today,” said Rinderknech overwhelmed.
First round off at Grand Slam since 2019
Not even a pike volley in the style of Boris Becker in the fourth set and “damn big eggs”, which Zverev attested after winning this round, was enough to win. He continues to wait for his first Grand Slam triumph after the 38th attempt. In Wimbledon, he has never got beyond the round of 16. It was his first opening of a Grand Slam in the same place since 2019.
At 4:04 p.m. local time Zverev entered the Center Court again – a good 17 hours after the demolition on the evening before. In contrast to Monday evening, the roof was open. Even if a light wind blew over the Center Court, there was a pressing-sized atmosphere.
Brother meeting at two o’clock in the hallway at night
Despite a small air conditioning system in the room, Zverev had not quickly found sleep on the tropical night. “We met in the hallway at two in the morning because it was hot in the house. It was incredible,” said Bruder Mischa before the game at Prime Video.
One or two things were discussed with his almost ten years younger brother as a teaching from the first two sentences. But instead of an increase in performance, Zverev experienced a start to forget. In the first game he was able to ward off two break balls, but a little later he received the first loss of the game for 1: 2.
At the beginning of the fourth round, the Hamburger showed the longing of the long time, and two break balls fought at 2: 2. But again Zverev acted too inconsistently and later gave great opportunities to take the serve to Rindknech for the first time. In the Tiebreak, Zverev showed strong nerves, served a second surcharge with 219 kilometers per hour and equalized at 5: 5.
“It is the lack of motivation in important moments,” he described the scene in the press conference. “It is this: at 5 both in the tie -break. Okay, I’m serving now with 136. If I do it, it’s great. If I make a double error, it is okay. I’ve never felt that.”
Immediately afterwards, Zverev had shown emotions on the pitch. He had “damn big eggs”, Zverev roared in the direction of his box. But again he gave up his surcharge for 1: 2 and kept staying too passive. Rinderknech trembled the arm, but after 4:40 hours he completed the sensation.
Brother Mischa takes the statements seriously
Zverev’s brother Mischa heard some of these statements as an expert at Prime Video in the late evening. “Nothing great has indicated that, I also find out a lot of things from you,” 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.”
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