Zverev does not need therapy, I don't think he is at risk of depression

Fernando Murciego | 6 Aug 2025 | 21.40

"Alexander Zverev and his mental state, one of the current topics. Source: Getty"

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If anyone thought that being a millionaire and a reference in your discipline exempted you from having personal problems, they were greatly mistaken. Happiness has been elusive for a long time, even for an elite athlete like Alexander Zverev. The German worried the tennis world with his statements after losing at Wimbledon a few months ago, admitting that he was not enjoying himself on the court because he felt very lonely off it. What is happening to the World No. 3? How can it be solved?

Thomas Baschab is one of the most recognized mental coaches in Germany, a man who has worked with numerous renowned athletes, even top businesspeople in his nation. In an extensive interview with the portal Tennis Magazin, the specialist delves into what may be happening in his compatriot's mind, quickly dismissing the possibility of him suffering from depression. Here are some of his statements to better understand this fascinating subject.

A common issue

“I am not at all surprised by what is happening to Zverev, what surprises me is how the public is handling this issue. I have often read that Alexander is a mentally weak player because he lost three Grand Slam finals, but this is utter nonsense. If a player like him had mental weaknesses, he would never have become World No. 2. Zverev is a player who competes for major titles on the biggest stages, meaning he shows up in important moments and displays excellent play. For instance, his record in tiebreaks is fantastic. His problem is related to something entirely different”.

The real issue

“His problem is energetic […] In some situations, he experiences interruptions in the flow of energy in his body, which sometimes prevents him from giving his best performance. For example, Novak Djokovic is a player who always exhibits very high and consistent energy. His opponents feel that accumulated energy, it builds a wall that is hard to break. This energetic presence helps Novak on court to defeat better rivals, creating that aura that is often talked about.

Zverev is also capable of focusing his energy in such a way that he seems untouchable. The issue is that he loses this energy too often because he easily gets distracted, especially by his own mistakes. These minor details eventually impact his game and affect his energy system, causing his quality to decrease. I believe Zverev can perform at the level of Sinner and Alcaraz; all he lacks is a forehand with which he can dominate at will”.

The loneliness of the circuit

“Up there, where Zverev is, you quickly feel lonely. I work with several top executives, and CEOs of major companies tend to be the loneliest people in each group. The issue with these individuals is that they lack independent interlocutors, similar to Alexander. Everyone he communicates with depends on him. His brother, father, mother, and girlfriend: they are all connected to him in a very tight web of relationships. There are no even conversations, which is why that loneliness arises”.

Solutions to take a step forward

“I do not think he needs therapy; this could cause much larger problems. What he needs is an experienced coach to help him stabilize his energy balance. I would advise him to take a break, regroup, and recharge his energy. However, he must then actively address the issue; he must be able to strengthen his energy system in a way that it cannot break in the middle of a match. I do not believe he is at risk of falling into depression; his Wimbledon incident was simply him being in a bad mood, so I take my hat off to him for expressing his thoughts publicly with such precision”.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Zverev no necesita terapia, no creo que esté en riesgo de depresión”