Alexander Zverev’s defeat to Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon 2025 not only shocked fans but also sparked a huge controversy due to the German tennis player’s remarks. In an interview following his withdrawal from the tournament, Zverev blamed loneliness and the feeling that no one cared about him as the main reasons for his poor performance, arguing that without support and motivation, he simply couldn’t perform at his best.

This excuse was met with widespread disapproval from tennis fans and the media. Many felt that, instead of humbly accepting his defeat and learning from it, Zverev sought to justify himself with an argument that seemed more like an evasion than a genuine reflection on his performance.

However, Arthur Rinderknech’s reaction was swift. Just five minutes after hearing Zverev’s words, the Frenchman reacted firmly, dismissing his opponent’s excuse. “Defeat is defeat; you can’t blame anything. Many players compete alone, but that doesn’t stop them from continuing to fight, strive, and, in many cases, win. It’s not right that, after losing, people look for external reasons to justify their defeat. If they don’t succeed, they must accept it and improve for next time,” said Rinderknech, who made it clear that great champions don’t need excuses to justify their performance.

The exchange between the two tennis players has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with some supporting Zverev, believing that mental health and emotional support are important aspects for athletes, while others, like Rinderknech, argue that athletes should be responsible for their own failures and learn to overcome adversity without resorting to excuses.