I Feel Very Alone: Zverev Mulls Therapy

Alexander Zverev is considering therapy to talk through his mental health issues after admitting he feels "alone" and "empty" following his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2019.

- 

LONDON –

The German third seed was stunned by France's Arthur Rinderknech in the first round of Wimbledon on July 1.

Zverev, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, slipped to a shock 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 defeat by the world No. 72 in a marathon clash lasting 4hr 40min on Centre Court.

The 28-year-old is the highest-ranked men's seed to fall so far at the All England Club.

In a remarkably open and honest press conference, Zverev said he was struggling to cope with life on the grueling tennis circuit.

"It's funny, I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open," he said.

"I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it in a way.