Alexander Zverev’s decision to withdraw from the ATP 250 Swiss Open in Gstaad, scheduled for July 14-20, 2025, has been widely praised as a prudent move following his unexpected first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 to Arthur Rinderknech (7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4) on July 1. The world No. 3, who cited personal reasons for skipping Gstaad, per *The Tennis Gazette*, revealed in a raw post-Wimbledon press conference that he felt “empty” and “alone,” lacking joy both on and off the court, and was considering therapy for the first time, per *ATP Tour* and *India Today*. His mentor, Boris Becker, urged him to take a break, suggesting a vacation with partner Sophia Thomalla to rediscover himself, per *tennis365.com*.[]
Zverev’s withdrawal allows him to prioritize mental and physical recovery ahead of the North American hard-court swing, starting with the Canadian Open on July 28, where he is a former champion, per *The Tennis Gazette*. This move avoids the risk of further strain on clay, a surface where he struggled earlier in 2025, losing in the quarter-finals of the Argentina and Rio Opens, per *The Tennis Gazette*. Fans on X, like @saschashoulders, called it a “good decision” for his well-being, per, while @TennisInfinity1 noted it could set him up for a strong US Open campaign, per. Zverev’s focus now shifts to regaining form and confidence for the Toronto and Cincinnati Masters, where he has a history of success, per *The Tennis Gazette*.[]
