Alexander Zverev has revealed he is “struggling mentally” with off the court issues, after he crashed out in Wimbledon’s first round on Tuesday.
Zverev, 28, astonishingly lost to Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in a game that lasted four hours and 40 minutes and spread over two days.
The match, similarly to Taylor Fritz’s remarkable comeback against Canadian Gabriel Diallo, was halted on Monday evening due to Wimbledon’s rules, as they were unable to play past their 11pm curfew.
Zverev, who entered as the tournament’s third seed, instead pointed a focus to his difficulties off the court, admitting he is “lacking joy” outside of tennis.
Arthur Rinderknech recorded the fastest-ever serve in Wimbledon's history during his dramatic victory against Alexander Zverev
Reuters
Heartbreakingly, he explained: “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.
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Alexander Zverev pointed to outside issues after his loss in the first-round
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“I don't think tennis is the problem right now for me, it's something else that I have to find within me at the moment.
“But something within me has to change, which is not necessarily on the tennis court.”
The German has 24 career titles and finds himself just two wins away from 500 career victories, but his off-field struggles have clearly left a lasting affect on him on the court.
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Zverev’s girlfriend, influencer and TV presenter Sophia Thomalla, was not in attendance for the German’s loss due to professional commitments.
Thomalla, who is eight years Zverev’s senior, was instead filming a commercial.
The 28-year-old claimed, in her absence, that he was left feeling “very alone”.
“It's funny, I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally,” he added. “I don't know. It's difficult to find joy outside the tennis court for me at the moment.
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“It's not an excuse or anything. I think Arthur deserved to win today. 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. Just never felt that way before.”
When asked if he would consider working with a mental coach, the German simply replied that he will “probably need it”.
It was, without a doubt, the most significant victory of Rinderknech’s career, and Zverev was quick to praise the Frenchman’s performance.
“I think generally [Arthur] played a fantastic match, I'm not sure he's ever played a match like that in his life,” Zverev said.
With the US Open starting in around seven weeks, Zverev will be looking to get his personal life in order and feeling more content as he searches for his first Grand Slam.
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