“I need therapy” after leaving Wimbledon, tennis star confesses, “I feel empty and alone.”

Zverev’s emotional admission
German world No. 3 Alexander Zverev was stunned by Arthur Rinderknech in the first round of Wimbledon 2025—his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2019—and afterward, he opened up about his emotional state

He described feeling “empty” and “very alone,” both on and off the court, struggles he said began after the Australian

Considering therapy for the first time
Zverev admitted, “Maybe for the first time in my life, I need therapy,” acknowledging it’s not just a sports issue but something deeper affecting his daily life and motivation

Context & reactions
Despite strong performances earlier this year (titles in Stuttgart and Halle), he said he hasn’t felt joy in anything—not even in winning—and he frequently ends the day lacking purpose

“He should go for it. There’s no shame in needing therapy and it sounds like he’s overdue.”
“Either you didn‘t read the comment above … therapy could only help him.”

Many commentators view this as a long-overdue step toward addressing his mental health.

What this means
Elite pressure & burnout: Zverev’s openness shows how even top athletes are vulnerable to mental fatigue and emotional isolation.

Shift in sports culture: His willingness to seek help follows a positive trend among athletes like Madison Keys, Andrey Rublev, and Nick Kyrgios, who have also spoken publicly about mental health

Next steps: He’s likely taking a break now—especially with Wimbledon behind him—and prioritizing therapy and mental well-being before returning to tough tournaments like the Toronto Masters or US Open.

Let me know if you’d like insights on how other top players handle mental health or examples of sports psychology strategies!