Tennis Ace Emil Ruusuvuori Opens Up About His Mental Health Struggles and Return to the Court
Finnish Professional Tennis Player Ruusuvuori Discloses Episodes of Panic Attacks - Finnish professional tennis player Ruusuvuori discloses episodes of panic attacks
Hey there, tennis fans! You might've noticed Emil Ruusuvuori, our Finnish ATP pro, taking a break from the circuit for a while. Well, turns out, there's a reason behind that. At 26, Emil's been candid about the mental strife that led to his hiatus, plagued by persistent panic attacks and other mental health woes.
In an Instagram post, he confessed that he went almost half a year without even touching a tennis racket, unable to set foot on the court. But don't worry, he's been putting his mental health first, stressing its importance in our everyday lives.
This topic resonates with many in the sports world, especially tennis. Remember Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 from Japan? She's previously opened up about depression and anxiety,citing the need to focus on her mental health, just like Emil.
Being touted as Finland's top tennis talent, Emil's made some impressive strides in the past. He's defeated notable players like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and even Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon back in 2024. Not too shabby, huh? At the moment, his ranking stands at No. 235 in the world, with his last ATP Tour match played in Washington in July 2024. Since then, he's been competing in lower-tier Challenger and ITF events since February.
But fear not! Emil is back and focused on clawing his way back up the rankings by enhancing his physical fitness, regaining his match rhythm, and getting back in the swing of things. The guy's rebuilding his routine for a comeback on his own terms, aiming to savor the journey, win or lose. You go, Emil!
Insights:
- Emil Ruusuvuori took a six-month break from the ATP Tour in 2024 to focus on his mental health struggles, primarily panic attacks.
- Ruusuvuori has since returned and emphasized enjoying the game over rankings or results. He's focusing on rebuilding his fitness and getting back in the game.
- He currently holds a protected ranking of No. 83, which allows him to enter tournaments despite a drop in ranking during his hiatus.
- Emil has been involved with training environments like the 4Slam Tennis Academy, demonstrating his commitment to development and his comeback.
In light of Emil Ruusuvuori's mental health struggles, the European Parliament and the Council might consider adopting a resolution on the importance of mental health in athletes, especially in the field of tennis. As science continues to advance, more research could be done on the connection between sports and mental health. Emil's comeback strategy, emphasizing physical fitness and enjoyment of the game, could be a good example for colleges and universities offering health-and-wellness programs focusing on mental health and sports.
