In recent months, a growing number of elite tennis professionals have opened up about feeling emotionally drained and disconnected from the sport that once brought them immense joy. Tunisian star Ons Jabeur, long known for her infectious positivity and often dubbed the “minister of happiness” on tour, revealed that she has not felt genuinely happy on court for quite some time. On July 17, she announced a temporary break from tennis, citing emotional fatigue and a lack of fulfillment.
This revelation isn’t unique to Jabeur. Several top athletes in tennis and beyond are publicly addressing a deep sense of emptiness. Alexander Zverev, currently ranked world No.3, recently confessed after a first-round Wimbledon exit that he has “never felt this empty,” raising concerns about the mental toll of constant competition. Similarly, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world No.10 Andrey Rublev have both acknowledged mental health struggles tied to performance pressure.
For many players, the grind of the global tennis circuit — with little time to pause between tournaments — is leading to emotional exhaustion. Jabeur’s back-to-back Wimbledon runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023 brought her close to a lifelong goal, but also marked the beginning of a difficult emotional journey. Zverev, once viewed as the next big star, has yet to secure a Grand Slam title while seeing younger players achieve success.
The modern sports environment, heavily influenced by social media and constant scrutiny, can amplify personal struggles. Tennis isn’t alone in facing this issue. World No.1 golfer Scottie Scheffler questioned the meaning of victory, asking during The Open: “What’s the point?” — highlighting the fleeting nature of success. Former cricket captain Virat Kohli and tennis legend Ash Barty have also spoken about similar feelings, with Barty retiring at 25 despite her achievements.
Ash Barty described the relentless nature of sports as a loop where athletes aim for a goal, reach it, and then move on without time to celebrate or reflect. This endless cycle leaves little space for joy or recovery. A report in April 2025 by FIFPRO and Football Benchmark showed that footballers, too, are overworked, echoing similar themes of burnout.
Casper Ruud, a three-time Slam finalist, compared life on the tennis tour to running on a hamster wheel, while Novak Djokovic — a 24-time Grand Slam winner — admitted he has experienced periods of joylessness, understanding what Zverev is currently going through.
As more athletes speak up, it’s becoming clear that the high-performance world of professional sports is in urgent need of a mental and emotional reset. Whether through breaks, open discussions, or support systems, players are now searching for ways to reconnect with the passion that once fueled their dreams.
