Carlos Alcaraz Addresses Alexander Zverev’s Mental Health Struggles, Shares How He Finds ‘Joy’ While Playing

Carlos Alcaraz will complete the Channel Slam two times on the trot if he lifts his third consecutive Wimbledon title.

Carlos Alcaraz Addresses Alexander Zverev’s Mental Health Struggles, Shares How He Finds ‘Joy’ While Playing

Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Swish Tennis, ATP Tour)

Alexander Zverev admitted to feeling lonely and lacking joy in his life after his Wimbledon exit. ‘Sascha’ was defeated in five sets in the French Open by Arthur Rinderknech in the first round and this made him one of the four top 10 players in the men’s events to suffer a shock defeat in the opening round.

But one of these top 10 players was not Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard is bidding to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title.

After surviving a scare in the first round against Italy’s Fabio Fognini (whom he defeated in five sets), the Spaniard breezed past Britain’s Oliver Tarvet. Following this win, Alcaraz was asked in the press conference how he finds joy while playing tennis. Alcaraz too admitted that his mental health gets affected sometimes when he loses but he finds the right path again.

For me, it is not about winning or losing. For me it’s about having fun playing tennis, have fun stepping on court. Not thinking about the result. It’s just living the moment. Here at Wimbledon for me, it’s a gift. Every match I’m playing is a gift. I’m trying to make the most of it. Trying to enjoy as much as I can. Sometimes it’s really difficult. I know. Just playing for myself, playing for my team, for my family.

Zverev was chasing his first grass-court title of his career at Wimbledon where he has never progressed beyond the fourth round. The 28-year-old had lifted just the BMW Open and at Grand Slam events, he lost in the final of the Australian Open to World No.1 Jannik Sinner and in the quarterfinals of the French Open to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

On the grass swing before Wimbledon, the three-time Grand Slam finalist lost to Taylor Fritz in the Stuttgart Open final and to longtime rival Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Halle Open. Had Zverev reached the semifinals, he could have scheduled a blockbuster clash with Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz makes his feelings known on defeats of several top 10 seeds at Wimbledon

Four top 10 players from both the men’s and women’s sides lost in the first round. In women’s events, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is the only seeded player from the top 5 still playing as Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, and Qinwen Zheng failed to make deep runs.

Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Wimbledon)
Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Wimbledon)

Adapting to the grass after the grueling clay season is one of the toughest things in tennis and this could be the reason why even the top 10 players struggle. Because of this, Carlos Alcaraz is even more determined to not let these defeats affect his concentration. He said at the press conference:

I heard that this is the tournament with the most seed upsets in the first round, so it’s truly surprising. In a way, that makes me more focused on the tournament. I almost got knocked out of Wimbledon when I went to a fifth set in the first round. I’m trying to play each match more focused because, as we see, every match is different and challenging; anything can happen in this sport, even in the first round.

Alcaraz will next lock horns with Felix Auger-Aliassime or Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round. The 22-year-old is bidding to complete the Channel Slam for two consecutive seasons.

Before Wimbledon, the five-time Grand Slam champion lifted his fourth grass-court title at the Queen’s Club Championships by beating Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz has won six titles this season which includes the French Open he lifted by beating Jannik Sinner who he could again meet if they reach the Wimbledon final.

Also read: Andy Roddick Gives Reasons Behind Coco Gauff’s Loss in the Opening Round of Wimbledon