“It’s not about tennis”: Andrey Rublev breaks silence on Alexander Zverev’s mental health battle
Andrey Rublev, the Russian tennis star ranked No. 14, has offered a poignant perspective on Alexander Zverev’s recent struggles with mental health, emphasizing that the German’s challenges extend beyond the sport itself. Following Zverev’s shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, where he lost a five-set thriller 7-6(7), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 to Arthur Rinderknech, the world No. 3 opened up about feeling “very alone” and “empty” for the past six months. In a post-match press conference, Zverev revealed a lack of joy both on and off the court, hinting at considering therapy for the first time, stating, “I’ve been through a lot of difficulties in the media. I’ve never felt this empty before.”
Rublev, who has openly battled depression and sought psychological support, shared his insights after his own semifinal loss at the Mifel Tennis Open in Los Cabos. He suggested that tennis acts as a trigger rather than the root cause, saying, “It’s a tough conversation… but what I have realized it’s nothing to do with tennis. Tennis is something that triggers something in some players.” Drawing from his own experience, Rublev noted that addressing internal struggles improved his performance, adding, “In my case, I just decided to deal with myself and as soon as I started to deal with myself better, things started to get better.”
The 27-year-old Russian emphasized a universal aspect to mental health challenges, stating, “It’s not about tennis. It’s in general. Everyone has their own struggles. It does not matter athlete or not athlete.” This aligns with Zverev’s own admission that his issues transcend tennis, reflecting a deeper personal battle. Rublev’s comments, made public on July 19, 2025, have resonated as Zverev trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy under Toni Nadal, seeking a potential coaching shift to address both his game and mindset ahead of the Canadian Open.
This perspective has sparked broader discussions in the tennis community, with players like Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz also weighing in on the importance of mental well-being. Rublev’s candidness offers hope, suggesting that confronting these inner demons, rather than the sport itself, could pave the way for Zverev’s recovery and renewed success.
