Sabalenka urges Zverev to open up to family over mental health issues

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Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 1, 2025 Germanys Alexander Zverev during his first round match against Frances Arthur Rinderknech REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

LONDON - Aryna Sabalenka advised Alexander Zverev to seek help for his mental health problems before they can destroy him, with the world number one pointing to herself as an example of a player who benefited from speaking with a therapist and her family.

Zverev crashed out 7-6(3) 6-7(8) 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 against Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon on Tuesday for his first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since the 2019 edition of the tournament, leaving the German third seed down in the dumps.

The 28-year-old, who has had to deal with a number of off-court problems in recent years, told reporters after his defeat that he felt empty and was considering therapy.

I had a therapist for five years in my career, Sabalenka said after her win over Marie Bouzkova on Wednesday. I stopped I dont know, maybe in 2022. Its crazy to hear from someone like Alexander, because he has surrounded himself with his family.

Its really important to be open and to talk about what youre experiencing because if youre going to keep it inside, its just going to destroy you. I think thats something happening to him.

He just needs to open up to whoever is close to him ... people who can accept whatever youre dealing with.