Zverev speaks disarmingly openly about emptiness - that's how many of us feel too

When Alexander Zverev steps in front of the cameras after his Wimbledon exit and says, "I've never felt so empty," his breath catches for a moment. Not because of his surprise first-round loss , but because of his disarming candor.

Those who express themselves in this way are not showing weakness, but are expressing a feeling that many people know – and hardly anyone names.

This is a moment when success and emotional resonance are decoupled. A phenomenon that doesn't just affect sports stars. People with secure jobs, families, or high incomes also experience this: I seemingly have everything – and yet I feel nothing . The inner applause, that feedback that you're on the right path, is missing.

Practical tip: Take three minutes in the evening and answer for yourself in writing:

1. What good did I do today – for myself or others?
2. Where would I have liked more compassion – from myself?

This little reflection creates inner contact – without any medal.

Self-doubt is like civet cats: They come at night, are nimble, and hard to grasp. Yet they are a basic part of human nature.

They ensure social adaptation and promote development. But when they become chronic, an inner critic emerges that constantly devalues ​​us.

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In psychological terms, this is referred to as a negative self-concept: the belief that one is not enough – despite objective successes. This can be shaped by upbringing, comparisons, criticism, or perfectionism.

Practical tip: Keep an "evidence journal" for a week. Write down the following every day:

1. Three things you did well.
2. A moment in which you remained loyal to yourself.

That sounds simple, but it has a profound effect. Our brain loves repetition. And new ideas need training like muscles.

Emptiness is a silent visitor. No drama, no pain, just a "something is missing." That's what makes it so insidious. It's usually the result of a neglect of basic emotional needs: belonging, autonomy, meaning, joy.

In everyday life, we often just function. Appointments, to-dos, deadlines. But life is more than just a rhythm. And joy rarely comes naturally; it has to be invited.

Practical tip: Create a list of “joy moments” that last a maximum of 30 minutes:

1. Listen to music and dance
2. call someone spontaneously
3. Cook your favorite meal
4. drive into the countryside
5. Choose one of these points every day. Joy is a muscle—not just an accident.

Good question. Fatigue goes away with sleep, but overexertion remains. One is regenerative, the other a warning sign. Look out for the following signs:

1. You often don't feel like doing things that used to give you pleasure.
2. You react more irritably or emotionally than usual.
3. You wake up at night with brooding thoughts.

This indicates emotional exhaustion, which is often accompanied by unspoken conflicts or unmet needs.

Practical tip: Ask yourself the “traffic light question” regularly:

1. Red: What isn’t good for me?
2. Yellow: What takes energy but is necessary right now?
3. Green: What gives me energy?

Make the answers visible – as a note on the fridge or as your phone background.

Because we want to be strong. Because we've learned: "Pull yourself together." Because we don't want to be annoying, attract attention, or fail. And because mental exhaustion is invisible. You don't see a leg cast or a thermometer.

But asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of self-responsibility. Psychologists refer to this as the self-care competency index—the higher the score, the healthier the way you deal with challenges.

Practical tip: Start small.

1. Tell someone in your circle of friends honestly how you feel.
2. Don't go for a walk alone, go with someone.
3. Use an anonymous counseling service – online or by phone.

You don't have to go to therapy right away. But you can take yourself seriously.

Then you're in the midst of a classic state of ambiguity—you feel discord, but no clear direction. This isn't a defect, but rather an internal warning system. It's inviting you to reconnect with yourself—beyond external roles.

The first step: Allow yourself not to have an immediate solution. The second step: Move. Literally and figuratively.

Practical tip: Take a 10-minute mindful walk every day – without your phone, without music. Just you, your thoughts, your breath.

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What do I want to do less of today?
2. What do I want to feel more today?
3. What would be good for me today?

Answers don't always come immediately. But they do come.

Zverev's words after his early exit at Wimbledon resonate because they speak not only about tennis—but about all of us. About the feeling of functioning in life but no longer being emotionally connected.

The good news: You don't have to be famous to get closer to yourself again. Small steps, honest questions, and gentle rituals are often enough to fill the inner emptiness. Not from the outside—but from within.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.