Novak Djokovic offers support to Alexander Zverev: ‘If he needs me, I’m here’
Novak Djokovic has extended a helping hand to Alexander Zverev following the German’s recent admission that he is struggling mentally.
World No 3 Zverev suffered a shock first-round defeat to Arthur Rinderknech in the first round at Wimbledon and it came on the back of several up-and-down performances since he finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open.
The 28-year-old went through a slump after the Melbourne Park defeat as he had a chance to overtake Sinner as the world No 1, but he endured a nightmare run in South America and North America before bouncing back with a title run at the BMW Open.
The rest of the clay-court season was also marked by some disappointing performances while he finished runner-up in Stuttgart before falling to a 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (10-8), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6 defeat to Rinderknech at the All England Club,
After the match, he admitted maybe it is time to seek the help of a therapist as he stated: “I’ve been through a lot of difficulties. I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in the media. I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in life, generally.
“I’ve never felt this empty before. Just lacking joy, just lacking joy in everything that I do. It’s not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis, as well.
“Even when I’m winning, even when I’m winning like in Stuttgart or Halle, it’s not necessarily, like, a feeling that I used to get where I was happy, over the moon, I felt motivated to keep going. It’s just not there right now for me, which, again, is the first time in my life which I’m feeling.
“I don’t know how to answer this, to be honest, because it’s a feeling that you’re going to bed and you’re just not really motivated for the next day, you don’t really feel like waking up and going to work. I think everybody had this feeling, it doesn’t matter what job you had.”
Alexander Zverev News
Alcaraz and Raducanu respond to Alexander Zverev’s concerning mental health confession
Alexander Zverev reveals if he still has ‘burning desire’ to win Grand Slam after Wimbledon pain
Zverev’s brother, former player Mischa Zverev, was not very sympathetic as he said “I think life is much harder for many children in Africa than it is for a tennis player at Wimbledon”.
Tennis great Djokovic was asked about Zverev’s comments and offered help.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner said: “Sascha and I have a great relationship. I like him a lot as a person. We talk quite a bit actually about tennis and different topics in life as well.
“We had the chance after our training session here before Wimbledon about some technical stuff on the court. He was asking me and I was sharing with him. He knows he can always reach out to me.
“I understand exactly what he’s going through because I’ve been through that many times where you feel empty or less joy or less happiness playing. Where you’re not delivering the kind of results on court that you’re looking for. It’s all part of the process. You can’t always feel your best.
“He’s one of the players that’s been playing a lot this year in terms of his calendar. Maybe he’s just overwhelmed with so many tournaments and everything. Maybe he needs to take a break and refresh his mind. Him and his family know best. I empathise with him.
“I know mental health is a topic that hasn’t been much talked about in the tennis world before. But I think it deserves more attention. I salute the players who have the courage to come out and speak about that. I definitely wish him all the best. If he needs me, I’m here.”
