Alexander Zverev’s brother gives harsh reaction to his alarming Wimbledon comments
Mischa Zverev has expressed his surprise at the statements his brother Alexander Zverev made about his mental state after losing in the opening round at Wimbledon.
Zverev was upset 7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 by 72nd-ranked Arthur Rinderknech in a four-hour-45-minute Centre Court marathon spread over the first two days of the tournament.
In an alarming post-match press conference, the world No 3 divulged that he felt “empty” and “alone”, adding he was “just lacking joy in everything that I do.”
Asked if he would consider seeking help from a therapist, Zverev said: “Maybe for the first time in my life I’ll probably need it.”
Zverev is coached by his father Alexander Zverev Sr. and brother Mischa — who was ranked as high as 25th in the world before retiring in 2023.
Speaking on Amazon Prime Video Germany after his brother’s loss at Wimbledon, Mischa Zverev weighed in on the comments.
“He’s doing well,” declared the German. “He has lost. Of course you’re sad and disappointed, but that’s all part of it. But he’s fine, not like the last few years when he twisted his ankle or anything. It’s sad. It’s a shame that he lost.
“I don’t know what [his statements] do to me, this is the first time I’ve heard that. If he says something about it, it’s good, I’m mostly a listener. Nothing major has been signalled, I’m learning a lot of things from you too.
“I’ve just been to see him. He seemed to be okay. We talked about various things, including positive things, including the match. We also talked about things that are fun and that we can do in the coming weeks. But it all seemed positive.”
After former world No 7 Barbara Schett expressed her concern for Zverev, Mischa did not appear to have the same sympathy.
“Well, life in many countries is very, very hard,” Mischa Zverev responded. “I think life is much harder for many children in Africa than it is for a tennis player at Wimbledon.
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“Having my own children I’ve become very down-to-earth and think very rational about it. Of course the life is hard, but there are millions of other people who have a hard life, but we are in the public eye very much.
“Of course I look at everything. But a day or two after an event, we get together again and talk about the issue again. A few hours or a few minutes after an event, people are still completely different. I observe and then try to help, if I can help.
“The year started with the final in Australia, then immediately to South America, he really wanted to keep playing. And then one thing really led to another. A few close losses, then it’s also an emotional rollercoaster. You imagined the year would be different and now it’s turned out differently.
“Then you feel something that you perhaps didn’t even realise before. Then these things come up and then you just say it. Maybe you talk to him in five days and he says, ‘you know what, that’s how it was at that moment.’ I take it all in and I take it seriously.”
Zverev’s brother added: “What can we do? If everyone is worried, that’s very nice, but it doesn’t help the situation.
“You can turn an issue into a long story, but I don’t think he wants you to keep asking him three, four, five weeks, maybe months from now: ‘So, how are you?’
“I don’t think that’s the right thing to do right now, to ask every day: ‘Is everything ok?’ You have to continue to live and observe, analyse and see how we can help. And if help is needed, we are there.”
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