Tennis: Finnish ATP professional Ruusuvuori reports of panic attacks

The Finnish tennis professional Emil Ruusuvuori could not be seen on the ATP tour for a long time-now the 26-year-old reports that this had to do with the psychological stress. Last year he suffered from recurring and increasing panic attacks and other psychological problems, said the former world ranking 37. In a contribution on Instagram.

That is why he took a six -month competition break. “I didn’t touch a tennis racket for four and a half months – I simply couldn’t go on the pitch,” he wrote. It is extremely important to pay attention to your mental well -being.

Osaka also took a break

The Finn thus addressed a topic that has been working for a long time for the tennis scene and top sport. Among other things, a few years ago, the former world rankings Naomi Osaka from Japan had reported depression and anxiety and later took a longer break to protect her mental health.

Fared back in the world rankings

Ruusuvuori was a long time as the best tennis player in Finland. In the course of his career, the right-hander also beat tennis greats such as the Italian Jannik Sinner, Germany’s number one Alexander Zverev and in Wimbledon 2024 also the Greek top 10 player Stefanos Tsitsipas.

At the moment it is only number 235 in the men’s world rankings. He contested his last match on the ATP tour so far in July 2024 in Washington. He has been playing tournaments again since this February, but so far only on the subclass Challenger and ITF level.