Tennis is difficult: Emma Raducanu after Zverev sparks mental health chat

India Today

5 hours ago

The mental and emotional demands of professional tennis have once again come into the spotlight, following a string of conversations sparked by Alexander Zverev's honest admission about his struggles with motivation. As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships unfold, Emma Raducanu has added her voice to the growing discussion about mental health in the sport.Raducanu, currently playing in her fourth Wimbledon main draw, was asked about Zverev's remarks during her post-match press conference after she defeated reigning 2023 champion Markta Vondrouov in straight sets. The young British star offered a composed and introspective response, speaking about how she personally copes with the psychological pressures that come with life on tour.advertisement'I think tennis is a really difficult sport. You lose every week pretty much. Out of however many tournaments, 26 weeks a year, you're pretty much losing 26 weeks a year. So that's a really difficult concept to get your mind around. At the same time there's an opportunity the next week. You see the momentum in tennis, how players can go from losing.. a 5, 6, 7 match losing streak to then winning a tournament and it shifts their whole season around," Raducanu said.
"It's a mentally very challenging sport. I think for me, what I've found, is trying to surround yourself with good people.. trying to win the day.. trying to focus on the process as much as possible. I think the results, it's really difficult to kind of take your joy from the results. Because it's so up and down. It's a rollercoaster. So trying to enjoy and think 'Did I get 1% better today? Or did I maintain today?' Because maintaining as well is a big skill. If you don't do the right work, you can easily slip. Trying to maintain or at least get a bit better is the goal that I have, at least,' she added.advertisementSince rising to fame with her US Open triumph in 2021, Raducanu has experienced the full spectrum of highs and lows in the public eye. From battling injuries and inconsistent form to enduring media scrutiny, her journey has made her particularly aware of the toll elite-level tennis can take on mental well-being.Zverev's vulnerable comments earlier in the week drew widespread attention. Despite a season that has seen him reach the final of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, the German star has yet to secure a Grand Slam title. His Wimbledon campaign came to a premature end after a grueling five-set first-round loss to France's Arthur Rinderknech—marking his earliest exit from a major since 2019. The nearly five-hour battle on Centre Court was another reminder of how unforgiving the sport can be, even for those at the top.Raducanu's comments highlighted just how important mental strength is in a sport like tennis, where even top players lose often and face constant pressure.- Ends