United Cup
Zverev draws strength from tennis low point
Updated on January 3, 2026 – 11:24 amReading time: 2 min.
Wimbledon as a turning point: Alexander Zverev is entering the new tennis year with optimism – and compares himself to a diesel engine.
Tennis star Alexander Zverev is drawing confidence for the new year from his biggest sporting low point of the previous season. His first-round defeat at Wimbledon was “helpful for me in a way because I could just start again. That was something of a turning point,” said the 28-year-old before the German team’s opening match at the United Cup in Sydney.
After the unexpected defeat against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech at the Grand Slam tournament in London in the summer, Zverev caused a stir with statements about a feeling of loneliness, mental problems and a lack of motivation. He later reported that he had subsequently sought professional help. In addition to mental problems, Zverev also repeatedly suffered from physical problems last year.
“Of course it wasn’t the season I wanted. I didn’t win the titles I wanted to, especially the big titles,” said the Hamburg native looking back. The fact that he ended the year third in the world rankings was “something to be proud of,” assured Zverev.
However, he is significantly behind the top stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the ranking. “I have a lot of catching up to do, but so does the rest of the field,” said Zverev.
He also uses the United Cup, a mixed team competition in Australia, to prepare for the Australian Open in Melbourne, the first highlight of the season. Sinner and Alcaraz are not at the United Cup. “Some guys like Jannik and Carlos can just show up at the Australian Open and immediately play great tennis. Sometimes I feel more like a diesel engine that has to get going. At some point I’ll play good tennis. So I have to play preparatory tournaments,” said Zverev.
