Tennis, behind the glory and trophies, is also a silent struggle against pressure, stress, and loneliness. This week, Alexander Zverev opened his heart at Wimbledon, confessing in a post-match interview that he feels “alone, without real support” and that “tournaments should give us more time to rest . “

The German tennis player’s words not only moved thousands of fans, but also provoked an immediate reaction from Novak Djokovic , who, with great humanity, came to his colleague’s defense.

“I’ve been there. I’ve felt alone too, even when I was winning. What Sascha (Zverev) says is true: we need space to breathe, not just to compete,” Djokovic said in a calm but firm voice.

Djokovic, considered one of the sport’s greats, emphasized that the current circuit demands extreme physical and mental levels, and that rest breaks are becoming increasingly scarce:

“We are not robots. We are people with emotions, with families, with bodies and minds that also break.”

The Serbian’s message was applauded by players, former players, and fans around the world. Many believe it’s time for the ATP and the Grand Slams to reconsider their schedules to prioritize player well-being.

Zverev, upon learning of Djokovic’s support, was visibly moved:

“I didn’t expect someone like Novak to say that. It made me feel supported. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

This exchange between two of the biggest names in world tennis not only exposes a harsh reality in professional sports, but also demonstrates that empathy and solidarity remain alive on the circuit.