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Alexander Zverev found support from friends and professionals, consulted Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal and now feels ready for the US Open and his Grand Slam quest.
Alexander Zverev had suffered a first-round exit at Wimbledon (AP)
World number three Alexander Zverev feels he is “on the right path” as he prepares for the US Open, having relied on friends and professional help to address mental health concerns he shared at Wimbledon.
After his first-round exit at the All England Club, the German athlete admitted to feeling “alone,” “empty,” and “lacking joy in everything I do.” However, on Friday, the 28-year-old expressed that he is now in a much better place as he gears up for another shot at his first Grand Slam title in the year’s final major tournament.
“Oh, I’m feeling a lot better,” Zverev said. “After Wimbledon (I) put my racket down and took extended time off and I went on holidays with my friends where I didn’t train, didn’t play tennis, didn’t do anything to what I usually do.
“I went and had some time off. Spent a lot of time with my friends. Got professional help also, which I’m still working with now.
“Yeah, I’m on the right path.”
What’s Changed For Alexander Zverev?
Zverev noted the positive changes when he returned to action at the ATP Toronto Masters and the Cincinnati Open, reaching the semi-finals in both tournaments.
“I really enjoyed the last two tournaments. I really enjoyed being back on the tennis court,” he said. “I feel like everything is going in the right direction, and I’m very happy to be here right now.”
Despite three unsuccessful attempts in Grand Slam finals, including a loss to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Roland Garros final, and Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open this year, Zverev remains hopeful.
“I’m looking for the last step, right,” Zverev said “I’m looking to lift one of those above my head once. That’s what I’m looking for.”
In pursuit of this goal, Zverev sought advice from retired Spanish great Rafael Nadal and his uncle Toni Nadal following his Wimbledon disappointment. He hopes to find improvements that will help him compete against top-ranked players like Sinner and Alcaraz.
“It’s about finding ways to beat the best players in the world, right?” Zverev said. “It’s about finding the right patterns, the right training to do that.
“That’s why I went to see Uncle Toni and Rafa, because I wanted to see and then hear a new vision of what tennis in their mind looks like and how my tennis in their mind looks like.
“I think in tennis everybody can always improve,” Zverev said. “It’s as simple as that.”
(With inputs from AFP)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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