World No. 3 Alexander Zverev has made a strikingly honest admission about the mental and physical demands of life on the ATP Tour, just days before Wimbledon 2025 begins. In a revealing interview, the German star opened up about the brutal realities players face due to tennis’ grueling year-round schedule.
> “I just don’t think we have an off‑season. I don’t think we have time to mentally rest, physically rest,” Zverev admitted. “I just finished the French Open, played Halle, and now we’re already here again.”
Zverev’s comments come as the tennis world increasingly questions the sustainability of the tour’s structure. With barely any downtime between seasons, players are under constant pressure to perform—both mentally and physically. The 27-year-old noted that while he doesn’t want to seem ungrateful, the calendar’s intensity is beginning to wear thin.
> “All in all, I don’t want to complain because I love being a tennis player. I know how privileged we are. But we are all complaining on a very, very high level.”
His remarks align with a growing sentiment among top pros, particularly after the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) filed a lawsuit earlier this year, challenging the sport’s 11-month calendar and pushing for better protections and compensation for athletes. Wimbledon responded in part by raising the 2025 prize fund to £53.5 million, the highest in its history.
Zverev, who is coming off a strong run to the French Open final and remains a top contender at SW19, admitted he’s been left mentally depleted at times. “I keep losing matches I should’ve won,” he said, referencing some unexpected early exits at other events. “Sometimes I feel like I’m just running on empty.”
Despite the demands, Zverev reaffirmed his love for the sport and praised the fans who support him worldwide.
> “We don’t want sympathy. But I do think people should understand we’re human. This isn’t just tennis. It’s travel, media, practice, repeat. It wears on you.”
As Wimbledon 2025 gets underway, Zverev’s honesty may spark further debate within the tennis world—and possibly add urgency to long-overdue reforms.
