Emma Raducanu Admits Tennis is ‘Really Difficult Sport’ After Alexander Zverev’s Concerning Mental Health Confession

Since his defeat to World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, Alexander Zverev struggled with mental health problems. He performed inconsistently since that defeat, losing in the next six tournaments without winning two consecutive matches.

After ending his title drought at the BMW Open, the German ace, following a few more clay-court tournaments, lost to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal of the French Open. On the grass swing then, Sascha, who was also searching for his first title on the surface, reached the final of the Stuttgart Open and the semifinal of the Halle Open but suffered a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon.

The World No.3 was up against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who knocked him out in five sets. Following the defeat, the three-time Grand Slam champion opened up about his mental health problems, that he is lonely and cannot find joy in his life, admitting that he needs therapy.

On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu is bidding to win her first singles title since winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier. The Brit, after knocking out compatriot Mingge Xu, registered a 6-3, 6-3 win over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, following which, she was told Zverev’s situation and was asked about her views on playing tennis with joy and mental wellness.

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.

When Aryna Sabalenka was asked a similar question, she advised Zverev to talk to his family about his mental health issues. She thinks if Zverev doesn’t open up about his problems, it can destroy him. For Raducanu too, surrounding herself with people she loves is the key.

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.

Emma Raducanu added

Zverev has never progressed beyond the fourth round at SW19, reaching the stage in 2017, 2021, and 2024. Last year, Taylor Fritz knocked him out.

Tracy Austin claims Emma Raducanu has a chance to beat Aryna Sabalenka

It’s Aryna Sabalenka whom Emma Raducanu will face in the third round of the grass-court Major. Sabalenka has met the 22-year-old just once, in the third round of the 2024 Indian Wells which the former won in straight sets.