Latest news with #Zverev
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'Carlos Alcaraz needs to stay away from controversy - I want to spoil his party'
Alexander Zverev has been speaking about the emerging rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and the German has changed his tune when it comes to his chances of success against them Alexander Zverev has warned Carlos Alcaraz to stay away from controversy if he wants to remain tennis' golden boy, adding that he's here to crash his party. The world No.3 declared himself "not good enough" to take on Alcaraz and Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner after losing to the latter in the Australian Open final in January, but has since changed his mind. Zverev now reckons he's close to gatecrashing the Alcaraz and Sinner show. The German told Tennis365:"Maybe it hasn't been my best year, but I don't think I'm as far away as some people might think. "At the moment, Carlos is the star boy. He just brings great energy to the court, and along with Jannik, they are the players to beat. I just hope to spoil their party a little bit, and I think I can do that." It's a far cry from his previously defeatist attitude, where he said after his defeat to Sinner: "You're just too good. It's as simple as that. I want to thank my team. We're trying to do all the right work. I'm just not good enough. It's as simple as that. I don't know if I'll ever be able to lift the trophy, but I'll keep coming back, I'll keep trying." Zverev may have touted Alcaraz as the 'star boy' of tennis, but he made sure to warn the Spaniard that he must remain attractive to the tennis fans and avoid any controversial moments in order to keep this persona up. "Carlos is a great guy. He is fun to be around, and he always has a smile on his face. If he can avoid any controversies, he is going to be very, very loved by tennis fans," he added. Zverev has a slight edge in his head-to-head record against Alcaraz and Sinner, boasting one more victory over each. The German tennis ace has notched up six wins against Alcaraz's five, while he leads Sinner with four wins to three. Despite this advantage, Zverev has yet to clinch a Grand Slam title, having fallen short in three finals: the 2025 Australian Open against Sinner, the 2024 French Open to Alcaraz, and the 2020 US Open, where Dominic Thiem triumphed. To truly rival his higher-ranked stars, Zverev recognises the need to reach more major finals and ultimately lift the trophy.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Zverev looking at Nadal family to boost career
German tennis player Alexander and Spain's Rafael Nadal pose for a photo before during the 2024 French Open tennis tournament (Roland-Garros). Alexander Zverev could reportedly seek help from the Nadal family in his bid to overcome problems on and off the court, according to Sky TV. Frank Molter/dpa Alexander Zverev could reportedly seek help from the Nadal family in his bid to overcome problems on and off the court, according to Sky TV. Sky commentator Paul Häuser said on platform X that Toni Nadal could become coach and his nephew, Rafael Nadal, a mentor of sorts for the German. Advertisement Toni Nadal coached Rafael Nadal to the majority of his 22 grand slam titles, among them 14 alone at the French Open. Rafael Nadal ended his playing career last year. Sky posted videos showing Zverev training with Toni Nadal at Rafael Nadal's tennis academy on the island of Mallorca. Häuser later said there was no agreement yet and that both sides were in the process of determining through the sessions whether such a co-operation would work out. World number three Zverev, 28, is yet to win a grand slam titles, having lost the three finals at the majors he appeared in. He spoke of mental health problems after a first-round exit at Wimbledon two weeks ago and he was considering seeking professional help. He said he planned changes and hoped to have some answers when he plans to return to action at the end of the month in Toronto. Advertisement Zverev has mainly been coached by his father, Alexander Zverev Sr, and his brother Mischa is also close to him as a manager and adviser. Former German great Boris Becker has suggested that Zverev makes changes in his environment in order to improve. "The father and brother have done a great job but it wasn't good enough for the final step. You get the impression that he plays in the same way against top players and hopes for a good result," Becker said. Zverev dismissed this but Becker also said that all external coaches left after a rather short period, such as Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, David Ferrer or Sergi Bruguera.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Zverev withdraws from Gstaad, defending champion Berrettini also out
(Reuters) -Alexander Zverev has pulled out of the Swiss Open in Gstaad, organisers of the ATP 250 event said on Thursday, just over a week after the German world number three crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round. Zverev lost a five-set marathon to France's Arthur Rinderknech and later told reporters he felt "empty" and was considering therapy. "Alexander Zverev has unfortunately withdrawn from the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad 2025 for personal reasons," organisers said. They added that defending champion Matteo Berrettini would also miss the event due to injury. The Italian also suffered a surprise first-round exit at the recent grasscourt Grand Slam. The Swiss Open begins on Monday. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Boris Becker 'worried' about Wimbledon star after frank mental health admissions
Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker watched Alexander Zverez's post-match press conference last week and was concerned by what he heard from his compatriot Boris Becker says he is concerned about Alexander Zverev after he made eye-catching comments following his exit from Wimbledon. Zverev crashed out of the tournament in the first round, losing to world No.72 Arthur Rinderknech, before opening up on his mental health struggles. The 28-year-old is a three-time Grand Slam finalist and was the No.3 seed at Wimbledon, but crashed out after losing a five-set epic. Rinderknech triumphed 7-6 (3) 6-7 (8) 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-4 after four hours and 40 minutes, prompting Zverev to open up in his post-match press conference. The German, who has been accused of domestic abuse by an ex-girlfriend – allegations that are unproven and have been denied – said he was considering therapy because he felt 'very alone' and was struggling mentally. Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion, found his words extremely emotional. 'I watched the press conference live and I cried. 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 said on the Boris Petkovic podcast. 'This was a person who revealed himself and that's why, for the first time, I'm a little worried about his mental health. He can play tennis, he'll win tournaments, he'll lose a few, but how is he doing personally?" Zverev has reached the final of the US Open, Australian Open and French Open, but has never made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon. After losing an epic which spanned two days against Rinderknech he explained his feelings. 'I feel very alone out there at times,' he said. 'I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open. Yeah, just don't know. I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it in a way. 'Yeah, I don't know. I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice. 'It's not a feeling on a tennis court, it's just a life feeling in general. As I said, I never felt this way before. I don't know. It's difficult to find joy outside the tennis court for me at the moment. 'It's not an excuse or anything. I think Arthur deserved to win today. It's something I've felt for the past few months. Again, I just feel generally very, very alone and very lonely. I don't know. Just never felt that way before. I don't have the answers right now.' Asked if he would start therapy, Zverev responded: 'Yeah, maybe. Maybe for the first time in my life I'll probably need it. '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.'
Metro
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
'I cried' - Boris Becker reaches out to Wimbledon player after 'very sad' moment
Boris Becker has revealed he 'cried' watching Alexander Zverev's emotional press conference at Wimbledon and reached out to the world number three to 'check everything was okay'. Zverev gave an emotional press conference following his gruelling five-set first-round defeat to Arthur Rinderknech at the All England Club. The 28-year-old, who has reached three Grand Slam finals, said he felt 'very alone' and 'empty' on and off the tennis court. 'I feel very alone out there at times,' Zverev said. 'I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open. 'I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it. 'I don't know. I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice.' Pressed on his struggles, Zverev added: '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.' Six-time Grand Slam champion Becker watched the press conference live and says he was reduced to tears by Zverev's comments. Becker was even compelled to reach out to his compatriot 'straight away' and offer his support. 'I watched the press conference live and I cried,' he said the Becker Petkovic podcast. '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'. 'This was a person who revealed himself and that's why, for the first time, I'm a little worried about his mental health. He can play tennis, he'll win tournaments, he'll lose a few, but how is he doing personally? 'And that's a very important point for the rest of your life, because at some point your career will be over and it will be great. More Trending 'But how are you then? How are you as a person? What is your environment? Where is your anchor that catches you? Where is your bed? Right, the one where you can lie down, where you can take care of it emotionally… 'I have never seen him so honest, he basically revealed himself, let his emotions simmer and I found it incredibly sad. 'Of course I contacted him straight away and checked everything was okay, he gave me the thumbs up and so on.' While Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals – losing them all – he has never got past the fourth round at Wimbledon. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Scott McTominay reveals connection to 'one of the best Wimbledon clips of all time' MORE: Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of Wimbledon greatness and nothing can stop him MORE: Tennis player ends 21-year career and retires at Wimbledon after John McEnroe advice
