World number three Alexander Zverev said he did not speak about the mental health issues he has dealt with this year, but has struggled at times due to the intense scrutiny players face on a daily basis.
The German, who came from behind from two sets to beat Sebastian Baez in the French Open second round on Wednesday, said players from earlier eras had no idea how fierce the spotlight is for the current generation.
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Asked how he was dealing with the mental pressures of the sport, Zverev told reporters: “I think some players talk about it more often and more openly, I don’t like to do that. But I was struggling a lot this year.
“I think he was pretty depressed at times as well.”
Zverev has been at the center of several problems off the court since last year, when the ATP launched an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-girlfriend.
He was also sent home from the Mexican Open in February for breaking his racket against the umpire’s chair and received an eight-week suspension from ATP-sanctioned events.
“We are constantly in the crosshairs,” he said. “I think players from 20, 30 years ago don’t understand why now every little thing you do, there’s a camera there… or there’s someone who’s going to write about it.
“These days, I think with social media and a lot of other platforms, there’s a lot more sharing and there’s a lot more hate.”
Former women’s world number one Naomi Osaka, who lost in the first round of Roland Garros this week, withdrew from last year’s tournament after boycotting post-match press duties due to mental health concerns.
Osaka said authorities had made progress on mental health in the past 12 months, but more needed to be done.
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