Boris Becker reveals what Alexander Zverev told him after his Wimbledon exit as he pleads with him not to play

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Alexander Zverev has been a big talking point at Wimbledon this year, despite losing in the first round of the tournament.

Zverev was beaten by Arthur Rinderknech in his first round match at Wimbledon, as he suffered his earliest Grand Slam defeat in six years.

However, what really got people talking was Zverev’s comments after the match, where he admitted he felt lonely and was lacking joy in his life.

There has been a big reaction to what Zverev said in his post-match press conference and now his compatriot Boris Becker has revealed what he has been told.

Boris Becker reveals what Alexander Zverev said to him after his Wimbledon defeat

Becker and Zverev have a close-knit relationship, and have previously worked together on the tennis court.

When speaking on his podcast with Andrea Petkovic, Becker admitted that he was moved to tears by what he had heard Zverev say in his Wimbledon press conference.

Becker revealed that he had spoken to Zverev, who is currently in Ibiza attempting to get some time away.

Zverev’s next scheduled tournament is on the clay of Gstaad in under a week’s time, and Becker has pleaded for the world number three to withdraw.

“I watched the press conference live and I cried,” said Becker. “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 like to spend time, where I laugh and smile’.

“This was a person who revealed himself and that’s why, for the first time, I’m a little worried about his mental health. He can play tennis, he’ll win tournaments, he’ll lose a few, but how is he doing personally?

“And that’s a very important point for the rest of your life, because at some point your career will be over and it will be great. But how are you then? How are you as a person? What is your environment? Where is your anchor that catches you? Where is your bed? Right, the one where you can lie down, where you can take care of it emotionally…I have never seen him so honest, he basically revealed himself, let his emotions simmer and I found it incredibly sad and of course I contacted him straight away and checked everything was okay, gave me the thumbs up and so on.

“So, he is now in Ibiza and has let a few days into the soul tree. So, he’s fine so far, because I’m interested in the person Sascha Zverev, the player he’s fine, but my advice would be please, please, please don’t play Gstaad.

“Yes, take your partner Sophia, go, you have a lot of money. Rent a boat…go island hopping, but please come back yourself as a human being, so that you have the strength to play successfully on the tennis court again.”

Boris Becker responds to Mischa Zverev’s comments about his brother

There was also a big reaction to what Alexander’s brother, Mischa Zverev had said about the situation, with some suggesting that he was not very empathetic.

Becker also touched on this and appeared to agree that there was not much warmth in what Mischa had said about his brother when acting as a pundit on German television.

However, the former world number one defended Mischa’s situation by pointing out the varying conflicting interests.

“Tennis has to be secondary now and for me, and I have to mention this, his brother also plays a strange role,” continued Becker. “Well, he was in your studio a few minutes after the defeat and said almost without empathy, yes, he lost the match, everything is fine, now a few days break and then the Gstaad is on the agenda.

“Now, of course Mischa has a difficult role. He was hired by the TV station to share a little bit of insider information about Sascha, very important with our [Germany] best player. On the one hand, he is also the manager, he is the TV expert, he has so many roles and I don’t know if he is often in a good position.

“Because either he has to be a caring brother, in which case he has to look after his little brother, or he is a TV expert, in which he has to answer questions credibly and of course he cannot criticise his brother. I wouldn’t criticise my sister publicly either. That’s why I don’t understand the TV station’s expectations.

“Of course he can’t talk tales. Well he’s a good person, but then he can’t fulfil the role. So either we do our job, and we were also critical of Sascha at times because that’s our job without insulting him, or you can’t do the job.

“That’s why I think Mischa Zverev’s role is so crucial, and yes they all have to think about it, because the youngest member of the Zverev family isn’t feeling well at the moment, and I’m not talking about a first round defeat. He’s not doing well, both mentally and personally and I’m worried.”

Zverev currently remains in the draw for the ATP 250 tournament in Gstaad, before he is scheduled to turn his attention to the North American hard court swing.