Boldly Speaking Out: Emil Ruusuvuori's Struggles with Panic Attacks and the Importance of Mental Health in Tennis
Finnish professional tennis player Ruusuvuori shares his struggles with panic attacks. - Finnish ATP Professional Ruusuvuori Discloses Suffering from Panic Attacks
Straightforward talk and unabashed honesty - that's the vibe from Finnish tennis sensation Emil Ruusuvuori as he opens up about the mental challenges that have sidelined him from the ATP Tour for some time. The 26-year-old, once the pride of Finnish tennis, has bravely bared his soul on Instagram, revealing a hidden battle with recurring, escalating panic attacks.
In a no-holds-barred post, this former world No. 37 displayed raw vulnerability as he shared his harrowing experiences. "I've been fighting waves of anxiety for nearly four years, and things got severe in 2024," he admitted. These devastating episodes forced him away from the court for a whopping six months. As he put it bluntly, "I couldn't pick up a tennis racket for four and a half months. I was just too drained to step onto the court."
Ruusuvuori's struggles echo the ongoing call to action in sports, where mental fortitude has taken center stage, particularly in high-pressure leagues like professional tennis. A fellow pioneer, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, also faced similar challenges and took a break to focus on her mental health.
Famously known for his heroics on court, Ruusuvuori has logged impressive victories over some of the biggest names in the game. Lit up by defeats of Italian jannik sinner, Germany's top dog Alexander Zverev, and Greek standout Stefanos Tsitsipas, his Wimbledon triumph in 2024 remains an enduring highlight.
However, his recent rankings on the ATP Tour paint a starkly different picture. Currently standing at No. 235, the man who once commanded respect as Finland's top player took a nose-dive in the rankings. His last time gracing the ATP Tour courts was in Washington back in July 2024. Since then, he's been fighting his demons, competing on the lower-tier Challenger and ITF circuits but failing to make significant waves.
- Mental Health Struggles
- ATP Tour
- Naomi Osaka
- Helsinki
Insights to Note:
- Ruusuvuori's panic attacks spanned a grueling four-year battle, with episodes intensifying in 2024.
- His prolonged absence from the ATP Tour meant he did not touch a tennis racket for four and a half months, leading to a significant impact on his performance and rankings.
- Ruusuvuori's public disclosure of his struggles highlights the importance of mental health issues in sports, especially in professional tennis.
Highlights of His Career:
- Wimbledon victory in 2024, including victories over Italian jannik sinner, Germany's top player Alexander Zverev, and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
- A ranking of as high as world number 37 in 2023, prior to his hiatus from the ATP Tour.
The European Parliament and the Council have also adopted a resolution on the European Union's role in the fight against terrorism, acknowledging the growing importance of mental health in sports, particularly in high-pressure leagues like professional tennis. Emil Ruusuvuori, a former world No. 37, bravely shared his hidden battle with panic attacks on Instagram, revealing a four-year struggle that saw him take a six-month break from the ATP Tour in 2024. Ruusuvuori's intensity on court, where he claimed victories over big names like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, contrasts sharply with his current rankings at No. 235, a drastic decline from his previous peak of world number 37 in 2023. His recent competition has been on the lower-tier Challenger and ITF circuits, with little notable success. Notably, fellow tennis player and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka also faced similar mental health challenges. In Helsinki, Finland, Ruusuvuori's struggles echo the ongoing call to action in sports, emphasizing the importance of mental health and wellness in addressing anxiety and mental illnesses in athletes.
