“You have to be really mentally strong to play tennis,” Naomi Osaka said in her 2021 Netflix docuseries ‘Naomi Osaka.’ Climbing the ranks in professional tennis is no joke. The physical grind is obvious, but the mental toll often stays hidden. The pressure to always have the winners mentality can be too much to handle and often goes unheard. Argentine tennis player Federico Gomez just shattered that silence. He opened up about his struggles with mental health. His honesty has sparked an outpouring of support, with Novak Djokovic among those standing by him.
In an emotional and raw post, the Argentine tennis player wrote on Instagram, “The last 6 months have been some of the hardest I’ve ever had to live as a human being. Living with thoughts of leaving tennis completely, of really questioning myself if all this is really worth it and even repeatedly suicidal thoughts of not wanting to live anymore and leave this world…” The 27-year-old had a stellar season, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 135 and clinching three Challenger titles in Milan, Trieste, and Guayaquil. On paper, everything looked perfect. But behind the scenes, he was fighting a battle no one could see.“This may come as a surprise to many, but 2024 was undoubtedly the best year of my tennis career, yet it was simultaneously the worst year personally, and this recent period has been no exception,” he wrote.
Gomez’s words struck a chord with many, including Novak Djokovic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion reposted Gomez’s post on his Instagram story, adding a simple but powerful note: “Strength, friend. There is always light at the end of the tunnel” (translated from Spanish)
Djokovic has long been a vocal advocate for mental health in tennis. Back in 2020, he co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) alongside Vasek Pospisil, aiming to support players beyond the court. Mental health has been a key focus for the PTPA, which has partnered with Apeak Tennis to provide mental performance training for pros and their teams. Their Mental Fitness Program also offers holistic wellness support.
The Serbian tennis player wasn’t the only one to reach out. Other tennis personalities have also offered their support.
Federico Gomez’s post also caught the attention of The Tennis Letter, a popular page on X, which helped amplify his message. One of the first to respond was Boris Becker. The six-time Grand Slam champion from Germany didn’t hold back, offering direct support on X. “God bless Federico! If I can help in any way, contact me on my Instagram,” Becker posted.
Meanwhile, Paula Badosa, who has been open about her own struggles with mental health as she dealt with a chronic back injury. She shared Gomez’s post and sent a heartfelt message.“@fedegomez250 It hurts me so much to hear these words when I look so reflective. Lots of encouragement and lots of strength. You are very brave. Remember: the storm doesn’t last forever, the sun always rises, and when it does, you’ll be stronger than ever. 🙏” she wrote.
Mental health struggles don’t discriminate. They affect champions and challengers alike. In the past, players like the former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka and Andrey Rublev have also shared their battles with mental health. With stars like Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker, and Paula Badosa offering support, the conversation is changing. The tennis world is confronting the battles that happen off the court.
