Alexander Zverev reveals he decided to take some time off after Wimbledon and also confirms that he sought professional help for the first time in his life.
Instead of lamenting his performance after losing in the Wimbledon first round to Arthur Rinderknech, Zverev felt there was something bigger than needed to be said. In front of reporters, the 28-year-old admitted to feeling "quite lonely" in life and that for some time he wasn't able to "get out of this hole." Then, the three-time Grand Slam finalist proceeded to reveal that he might try therapy.
Exactly a month passed before Zverev played his next match at the Toronto Masters, where he made the semifinal before losing to Karen Khachanov. At the ongoing Cincinnati Masters, the German enjoyed another deep run, reaching the semis before falling short to Carlos Alcaraz. The world No. 3 may not have won Toronto or Cincinnati but he is definitely showing some promising signs.
Zverev: I didn't do anything tennis-related after Wimbledon… I also got some professional help
“I took a longer period of time off after Wimbledon, which I haven’t done in a very long time, which was very needed. I didn’t train, I didn’t do any physical work, I didn’t play tennis for a longer time as well, which was the best thing for me to do. And I enjoyed my time, mentally freed up, got also some professional help as well there. I’m happy to be back on court," the 28-year-old revealed.
Zverev did well leading up to the US Open so he shouldn't lack any confidence going into the final Grand Slam of the year. In 2020, the German made his first Grand Slam final at the US Open – when he failed to serve out for the match against Dominic Thiem and lost in a heartbreaking way.
It remains to be seen if Zverev can lift his maiden Slam title at the US Open, two months after the darkest period of his career.
