The 2025 Wimbledon Championships, held in the lush green of the All England Club, took an unexpectedly poignant turn when Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, laid bare his struggles in a raw post-match press conference. Following a grueling five-set defeat to world No. 72 Arthur Rinderknech in the first round, Zverev’s candid admission of feeling “very alone” and “empty” both on and off the court moved tennis legend Boris Becker to tears. “I watched the press conference live and I cried,” Becker revealed on his podcast with Andrea Petkovic, describing the moment as “incredibly sad.” The three-time Wimbledon champion, deeply affected by his compatriot’s vulnerability, reached out to Zverev immediately to ensure he was okay, a gesture that underscores the tight-knit bond within the tennis community.
Zverev’s 7-6(3), 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 loss to Rinderknech on July 1, 2025, marked a shocking early exit for the 28-year-old German, who has reached three Grand Slam finals but never advanced beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. The defeat capped a challenging year for Zverev, who has struggled to regain his spark since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final in January. “I would say more mental, probably,” Zverev responded when asked if his struggles were physical or mental. “I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally. I’ve been saying that since after the Australian Open. I’m trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it.” His voice heavy with emotion, he added, “I’ve never felt this empty before. Just lacking joy in everything that I do. It’s not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis, as well.”
Becker, a mentor and friend to Zverev, was struck by the honesty of the moment. “A person opened up and said, ‘I have problems, I have mental problems, help me. I don’t have anyone around me except my daughter, who is four years old, with whom I like to spend time, where I laugh and smile,’” Becker recounted. “This was a person who revealed himself, and that’s why, for the first time, I’m a little worried about his mental health.” Concerned for Zverev’s well-being beyond the court, Becker contacted him immediately after the press conference, receiving a reassuring “thumbs up” but urging him to prioritize his personal recovery. “So, he is now in Ibiza and has let a few days into the soul tree,” Becker noted, referring to Zverev’s retreat to the Spanish island for respite.
Zverev’s vulnerability resonated deeply with fans and players alike, shedding light on the mental toll of professional tennis. Despite his accolades—a 2020 Olympic gold medal, a US Open final appearance in 2020, and a French Open final in 2024—Zverev admitted to a pervasive sense of isolation. “I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice,” he said. His only moments of joy, he shared, come from time spent with his four-year-old daughter, who brings laughter and lightness to his life. This candidness prompted varied reactions, including criticism from his brother Mischa, whose punditry lacked empathy, according to Becker. “That’s why I think Mischa Zverev’s role is so crucial,” Becker said, expressing concern over the family’s response to Zverev’s struggles.
Becker, who has faced his own public battles, including a 2022 prison sentence for bankruptcy fraud, offered heartfelt advice. With Zverev scheduled to play the Swiss Open in Gstaad shortly after Wimbledon, Becker pleaded, “Please, please, please don’t play Gstaad. Take your partner Sophia, go, you have a lot of money. Rent a boat… go island hopping, but please come back yourself as a human being, so that you have the strength to play successfully on the tennis court again.” His words reflect a deep understanding of the pressures athletes face, drawing from his own journey from Wimbledon wunderkind to a seasoned figure advocating for mental health.
The tennis world has rallied around Zverev, with Novak Djokovic, a former Becker protégé, offering support: “If he needs me, I’m here.” As Zverev takes time to heal, Becker’s emotional response and outreach highlight the sport’s human side, reminding fans that even its brightest stars grapple with unseen battles. This moment at Wimbledon 2025 may mark a turning point for Zverev, as the tennis community hopes he finds the joy he seeks both on and off the court.
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