Zverev's mental strife discussed by Becker: 'I felt emotional' - Zverev's Mental Struggles: Becker in Tears
German tennis star Alexander Zverev, currently ranked World No. 3 and an Olympic champion, has revealed significant mental health struggles that have affected his performance on the court this year. In a candid admission, Zverev spoke about feeling "very alone" on the court and struggling with joy both in and outside tennis, marking the first time he has openly considered seeking professional therapy.
The mental health challenges have led to middling performances and unexpected losses, including his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2019 at Wimbledon. Zverev himself acknowledged that his emotional state has been a significant hurdle, stating, “It’s more mental than physical.”
Fellow players have shown support and encouragement for Zverev, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka urging him to be open about his feelings and consider therapy, citing her own positive experience with mental health support as crucial to her success.
Zverev announced that something needs to change within him, not necessarily related to tennis. Boris Becker, his former coach and current advisor, contacted Zverev to check on his well-being after watching his press conference. Becker has advised Zverev to prioritise his mental health over tennis, suggesting a vacation in the Aegean Sea to recharge.
Zverev plans to take a few weeks off and provide further answers at the Masters-1000 tournament in Toronto, Canada. Despite this, he remains on the entry list for the clay-court tournament in Gstaad. Becker expressed sympathy for Zverev following his comments about mental struggles and referred to him as his "sporting godson."
However, Becker has criticised Zverev's brother, Mischa, who has spoken "almost without empathy" according to Becker. Mischa Zverev, as a TV expert, has stated that training will resume after a few days off this week.
Zverev reported feeling mentally down and struggling to find joy outside of tennis. This battle with his mental state has persisted since the Australian Open, with feelings of emptiness, lack of motivation, and a sense of isolation impacting his performance and well-being.
Zverev hit back at the grass tournament in Stuttgart after Becker's previous advice, but the road ahead in tennis will depend largely on how he manages his mental health recovery. The hope is that addressing these issues will allow him to regain the focus and joy crucial for competing at the top level.
- Despite the profound impact of his mental health struggles on his tennis performance, Alexander Zverev has expressed his hesitation, stating, "I'm not going to be a big fan of this," regarding seeking professional therapy.
- In light of Alexander Zverev's open discussion about mental health, fellow professional tennis player and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has emphasized the importance of therapy in her own success, encouraging Zverev to consider it within the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health.
- Boris Becker, Zverev's former coach, recognizing the need for a change in Zverev's well-being, has recommended prioritizing mental health over tennis by taking a vacation to the Aegean Sea, referring to this as a means of improving science, not just on the court but also in his personal life.
