Post by : Maya Rahman

Renowned doubles champion Joe Salisbury has revealed his decision to step back from tennis for several months. The British star disclosed that he is dealing with significant anxiety impacting his mental and physical well-being. In a heartfelt interview with BBC Sport, Salisbury indicated he does not plan to return before April.

This year's anxiety has proven particularly challenging for him. He described experiences of heart palpitations, which felt as though his heart was racing throughout his body. Additionally, he noted bouts of shakiness and a sensation of internal vibrations, all of which detracted from his enjoyment of tennis and his ability to focus during matches.

Salisbury also mentioned recurring feelings of nausea that disrupted his eating and sleeping habits. He revealed that these distressing symptoms could appear at various times over the year, leaving him with feelings of unease before competing.

Although he managed to perform well competitively, he admitted that the emotional toll of his anxiety was increasingly burdensome. While he could cope during matches, this required significant mental energy, leading to a diminished enjoyment of the sport. He recalled several tournaments where, despite his on-court success, he struggled emotionally.

He had an eventful and successful season alongside his doubles partner Neal Skupski, as they were runners-up at six tournaments, including the French Open and the U.S. Open. They also reached the finals of the ATP Tour Finals in Turin but fell short against Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten.

In 2022, Salisbury attained a career milestone by becoming the world No. 1 in doubles, joining the ranks of Andy and Jamie Murray as the only British men to achieve this distinction. By this year, he was ranked No. 10 globally.

Despite these accomplishments, Salisbury recognized that continuing in the sport without addressing his anxiety could worsen his situation. Consequently, he is expected to miss the upcoming Australian Open in January.

Salisbury acknowledged that he hadn't shared his anxiety struggles widely before this, but he hopes his openness will encourage others to discuss their mental health challenges. He believes many within tennis and other sports face similar issues.

Mental health discussions have become more prevalent in professional tennis in recent years, with numerous players opening up about their experiences. Players like Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova have also taken breaks for mental health concerns.

Through his story, Salisbury aims to foster a culture of more candid conversations about mental health in sports.

#Sports News