American tennis player Amanda Anisimova has announced that she will be taking an indefinite break from tennis due to her struggles with mental health. Anisimova, who also suffers from burnout, has emphasized that her priority is her mental wellbeing. Tennis legend Chris Evert expressed empathy and support for Anisimova’s decision on Twitter, highlighting the intense pressures faced by professional tennis players, particularly teenagers who are navigating their way through life in the public eye.
Evert has often spoken openly about her struggles with depression and anxiety, and has been a strong supporter of other players who have shared their emotional stories. She has also used her platform to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in sports. Evert emphasized that mental health is just as important as physical health for athletes, and called out for more resources and support to be made available to players.
Last year, on World Mental Health Day, Evert emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, along with physical health. She believes that while the pandemic has raised awareness, more work needs to be done in this area. Evert was sympathetic to the difficulties faced by modern-day players and called for a greater understanding of the psychological challenges they encounter.
