Grigor Dimitrov is the latest big tennis name to open up about mental health as the 33-year-old reveals there have been times when he has experienced "severe moments of anxiety and panic attacks" on and off the court.
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This past week, the Bulgarian returned to the ATP 250 tournament in Stockholm, a place where he made his debut long ago in 2009. And after winning it once in the past and twice finishing as runner-up, he made his fourth final at the event this year and had another runner-up run after losing to Tommy Paul in the final on Sunday.
While it may have been a great week result-wise for Dimitrov, he also wanted to address something very important.
It would be a lie if I say that I never had it. I had severe moments of anxiety, panic attacks and they would drop on the tennis match. Of course I think it always helps when you can talk to people and share and even if it's another tennis player, the former world No. 3 told Nicholas Albek of SpilXperten.
Dimitrov: Men don't often speak about it...
In the same interview, the 2017 ATP Finals champion also noted: "We all should be more open to each other. I know its difficult. I know it's a very individual sport and almost brutal."
In 2021, Naomi Osaka revealed she had been battling depression and anxiety for years. That led to other WTA players opening up about their own issues and speaking more freely about mental health topics.
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Now, Dimitrov is doing the same on the ATP Tour.
Im obviously talking from my side, like men in general, we dont speak about it often but I think we should. Its not a sort of weakness but I think its totally the opposite showing vulnerability. Its a huge strength absolutely, huge strength and you sit on your own, on your own self in your own ground, the Bulgarian explained.
