“We’ve come a long way in destigmatizing mental health”- Mardy Fish on changing narratives around mental health of tennis players

Mardy Fish

American tennis star Mardy Fish opened about his mental health struggles in an emotional post on social media. Fish retired from the professional tennis scene in 2015 and has been an advocate for mental health issues ever since.

This was me 9 years ago, not explaining exactly why I wasn’t playing because of my mental health. Back then, it would’ve been crazy to say! We’ve come a long way in destigmatizing mental health. Still have a ways to go! https://t.co/JonTXqhPZ0
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) February 23, 2022

In 2013, Fish announced he will not compete in the US Open due to health issues. This wasn’t the only Grand Slam, the American missed, he missed months of tennis action due to complications with his heart. Fish later hinted that his withdrawal from the US Open might more about mental health than physical. Fish had to withdraw from his 4th round match against Roger Federer at the 2012 US Open after suffering from panic attacks before the match. That was the last Grand Slam of Fish’s career, he then missed an entire year due to anxiety disorders.

Severe anxiety disorder has led tennis player Mardy Fish to panic attacks and sleepless nights. https://t.co/KJtVjxQV4F pic.twitter.com/EdNHSSeJkG
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 30, 2017

9 years on from his withdrawal from the US Open, Fish admitted he couldn’t compete due to his mental health. He said he couldn’t reveal it back then as it was considered a stigma, but now the sport has progressed in leaps and bounds in accepting mental health-related concerns.

Tennis world is beginning to open up about mental health struggles

Last year, Naomi Osaka grabbed headlines all around the world during the French Open after she revealed she will skip mandatory media procedures citing mental health issues. This received a mixed response from the tennis world, Osaka then subsequently withdrew from the tournament. But she received many plaudits from all over the world for touching on sensitive topics and prioritizing her mental health, which is often seen as a topic of stigma in sports.

In recent times, many other players including Nick Kyrgios and Bianca Andreescu also opened about their mental health struggles. The tennis scene might still have a long way to go before they accept that mental health concerns are equally as important as physical ones, but players opening up about their mental health struggles have helped de-stigmatize conversations surrounding it and is a step in the right direction.