Emotional Zverev after first-round exit: “I’ve never felt this empty”
In a rare and candid self-analysis, Alexander Zverev admitted he must rediscover joy and emotional balance in his personal life before he can fully commit to tennis again

Arthur Rinderknech produced the upset of the opening round on Centre Court Tuesday evening, ousting No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev 7‑6 (5), 6‑7 (4), 6‑3, 6‑7 (4), 6‑4. Yet it was the German’s haunting post-match confession in the press conference, rather than the scoreline itself, that sent the bigger shockwave through the All England Club.
“Maybe for the first time in my life I need (therapy),” Zverev told reporters, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never felt this empty — just lacking joy in everything I do, even when I’m winning.”
The 27-year-old noted that he’s endured difficult periods before — a career-threatening ankle injury in 2022, legal scrutiny off court, and repeated heartbreak in Grand Slam finals — but said this time it feels different.
Something inside me has to change — I just don’t know what.
“I keep trying to find a way out of this hole,” he said. “Tennis isn’t the problem right now. Something inside me has to change — I just don’t know what.”
Tuesday’s loss marks a confusing dip in Zverev’s year, which included a run to the Australian Open final in January and strong performances on grass with a final in Stuttgart and a semi-final in Halle. While results have remained respectable, Zverev said the internal spark is gone.
“Even when I lifted trophies a few weeks ago, that surge of happiness I used to feel just wasn’t there,” he admitted. “I wake up, and the motivation for the next day is missing.”
When asked whether a coaching change — he’s been without a full-time coach since ending a trial with Sergi Bruguera last season — might be part of the solution, Zverev was unsure. “Possibly,” he said. “I’ll have answers by Canada [the Masters 1000 in one month]. Something has to shift, but it’s not a forehand or backhand fix.”
You could ask me 20 more questions and I still wouldn’t have an answer
Despite the defeat, Zverev was clear: his tennis isn’t broken.
“I don’t think I played a terrible match. I didn’t break him once, which says a lot about him. Especially yesterday, I thought it was high-level. The third set today wasn’t great. The fourth I played well. The fifth I played okay — apart from one stupid game,” he reflected. “It’s funny to say this after a first-round loss, but I don’t think tennis is the problem. It’s something else I have to find within me.”
Speaking later in German, Zverev added, “You could ask me 20 more questions and I still wouldn’t have an answer. I know I need to show emotion — but actually, deep down, I don’t even need to force it. There’s barely anything there.”
He continued: “I need to find myself a bit — understand which people bring me joy, what I enjoy, what motivates me. That’s my number one task right now: to find peace.”
Zverev now has a four-week window before the North American hard-court swing begins in Toronto. He hinted he will use that time to seek professional support. “I have to solve myself first,” he said. “The desire to win a major is still burning — but right now, I need to find joy again.”




