Open victor Scheffler is latest sporting star to explore space beyond wins and losses | Cath Bishop
American made headlines in highlighting that the winning feeling is temporary and shallow – but others feel the same way
The world’s top athletes can seem a confused bunch. Scottie Scheffler described in a press conference before the Open how he keeps asking himself why he wants to win golf tournaments and can’t find any answers. The world No 3 men’s tennis player Alexander Zverev confessed to feelings of emptiness and a lack of joy in his tennis regardless of whether he wins or loses matches. The Wimbledon women’s singles runner-up Amanda Anisimova took a long break from tennis to preserve her mental health, was written off by many and unsure what to expect on return, yet ended up in the SW19 final.
What’s going on? As the world’s top athletes naturally push the boundaries of what’s possible physically, so they also have to push the limits mentally, and these questions and experiences are a vital part of that process.