Boris Becker ‘cried’ after hearing Alexander Zverev’s emotional comments following Wimbledon exit
Tennis legend Boris Becker revealed he was reduced to tears watching Alexander Zverev’s raw and emotional press conference following his shock first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 to world No. 72 Arthur Rinderknech (7-6(7-3), 6-7(8-10), 6-3, 6-7(7-5), 6-4) on July 1. Speaking on his podcast with Andrea Petkovic, Becker shared, “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 laugh and smile,’” per *tennis365.com*. Zverev, the world No. 3, admitted to feeling “very alone” and “empty,” struggling mentally both on and off the court since his Australian Open final loss to Jannik Sinner in January 2025, per *metro.co.uk*.
Becker, who considers Zverev his “sporting protégé,” immediately contacted the 28-year-old to check on him, receiving a “thumbs up” response, indicating Zverev was coping while taking a break in Ibiza, per *thetennisgazette.com*. Expressing deep concern for Zverev’s mental health, Becker urged him to skip the upcoming Swiss Open in Gstaad, advising, “Please, please, please, don’t play Gstaad. Take your partner Sophia, rent a boat, go island-hopping in the Aegean, but come back to yourself,” per *rtl.de*. He also criticized Zverev’s brother Mischa for “almost emotionless” comments as a TV pundit, suggesting a lack of empathy, per *spiegel.de*.
Zverev’s candid admission, “I feel very alone out there at times… I’m lacking joy in everything I do,” resonated widely, prompting support from peers like Novak Djokovic, who offered, “If he needs me, I’m here,” per *tennis365.com*. Posts on X, like @ntvde_sport, echoed Becker’s emotional reaction, amplifying the concern for Zverev’s well-being, per. Zverev plans a break until the Toronto Masters in late July, per *t-online.de*.
