Breaking: British doubles star opens up on year-long anxiety shaping a demanding season
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British doubles specialist Joe Salisbury has delivered a rare, candid account of the mental strain he faced this season. He describes a year when anxiety was a constant companion, at times eclipsing the urge to play and compete.
He says the symptoms were acute at times: a persistent queasiness in the stomach, trouble sleeping, and a resulting impact on appetite. There was a persistent sense of dread,a fear that something adverse could unfold on court.
Despite this,Salisbury is planning a quieter off-season. He may dip into limited social time, but his schedule is geared toward stepping away from competitive tennis until the spring. Off-court plans include a safari in Kenya, a skiing trip with his partner’s family, and Christmas at home, a welcome break before a season starts in Australia in early january.
The 10th-ranked player in the world partnered with Neal Skupski for the entire season. The pair reached six finals, finishing as runners-up at major events such as the French Open, the US Open, and last week’s ATP Finals in Turin, though they did not capture a title this year.
On the impact of his anxiety, Salisbury acknowledged that it did not dramatically alter his on-court performance. He credits a strong six-month period for keeping him in a good competitive state, even as the emotional and mental toll grew. He said the struggle felt heavier emotionally and mentally, and at times it sapped the joy from many tournaments.
Speaking openly about his experience, Salisbury said he has kept largely the details to himself, sharing only with his team, friends, and family. He noted that some peers woudl rather not disclose personal struggles,especially when facing opponents,but affirmed that he does not mind if others know. He believes the past year has, if anything, strengthened his mental resilience.
Key facts at a glance
| Subject | Role | Season highlight | Mental-health note | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Salisbury | British doubles player | World No. 10; runner-up in six finals (French Open, US Open, ATP Finals in Turin) | Describes anxiety as emotionally and mentally taxing; efforts to compartmentalize and perform | Off-season plans include Kenya safari, skiing trip, Christmas at home; Australia start in early January |
Evergreen insights for readers
- Elite athletes often face mental health challenges in addition to physical demands. Acknowledging and addressing these issues can coexist with high performance.
- Strong support networks-coaches,family,and friends-play a crucial role in navigating anxiety while maintaining competitive focus.
- Clear conversations about mental health can reduce stigma and help fans understand the human side of sport, without compromising performance.
- Structured rest and a clear off-season plan can definitely help athletes reset, recover, and return with renewed focus.
Health note: If you are experiencing anxiety or mental-health concerns, consider reaching out to a qualified professional or support service in your area.
Fans and fellow players will be watching Salisbury’s off-season approach closely as he prepares for the looming Australian start. His experience adds to a growing chorus of athletes who speak openly about mental health, seeking a balance between competition, wellbeing, and personal life.
What are your thoughts on athletes speaking openly about mental health? Do you believe more transparency helps or hinders performance? Share your views in the comments below.
Have you ever found relief by sharing mental-health struggles with teammates or coaches? How do you think teams can better support players during tough seasons?
Stay tuned for more updates as Salisbury and Skupski map out their plans for 2025, and as conversations about mental health in tennis and othre sports continue to evolve.
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Championships and Rising Stars, Meaning Every Match carries Intense Media Scrutiny and Ranking Points Pressure.
.Recent Rankings & Competitive Landscape
- As of the ATP week 34 release (2025), Salisbury sits solidly at World No. 10, a position that places him among the sport’s elite and guarantees direct entry into Grand Slam main draws and Masters 1000 events.
- The top‑10 bracket this season includes a mix of seasoned Grand Slam champions and rising stars, meaning every match carries intense media scrutiny and ranking points pressure.
Recognizing Anxiety in High‑Performance Settings
- Anxiety disorders effect up to 35 % of professional athletes, according to a 2024 British Sports Medicine study.
- Common symptoms reported by elite tennis players include racing thoughts before serve, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep-all of which can directly impact on‑court decision‑making.
Salisbury’s Public Disclosure & Timeline
- In a March 2024 interview with BBC Sport, Salisbury confirmed he had been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) two years earlier.
- He detailed a “cycle of pre‑match rumination” that surfaced during the 2024 Indian Wells quarterfinals, prompting him to seek help from a certified sports psychologist.
- A follow‑up feature in The Guardian (July 2024) highlighted his decision to integrate mindfulness meditation into his daily routine, noting a measurable reduction in self‑reported anxiety scores (from 18 to 10 on the GAD‑7 scale).
Impact on Training & Tournament Performance
- Training Adjustments
- Short, purpose‑driven on‑court drills replace marathon sessions to prevent mental fatigue.
- Off‑court conditioning now incorporates yoga and progressive muscle relaxation twice weekly.
- Tournament Routine
- Pre‑match rituals include a 10‑minute breathing exercise and a visualisation script focused on point‑by‑point goals rather than match outcomes.
- Salisbury schedules a “mental health check‑in” with his psychologist 24 hours before each match,allowing real‑time strategy tweaks.
Sports Psychology Interventions Used by Salisbury
- Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Reframes catastrophic thoughts (“If I double‑fault, I’ll lose the set”) into actionable cues (“Focus on a smooth toss”).
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages embracing anxiety as a neutral sensation, reducing its power to derail performance.
- Biofeedback: Utilises heart‑rate variability (HRV) monitoring during practice to teach self‑regulation techniques that translate to match play.
Practical Tips for Athletes Facing Similar Anxiety
- establish a predictable Routine – Consistency in warm‑up, nutrition, and sleep lowers the brain’s uncertainty response.
- practice “Micro‑Mindfulness” – Pause for 30 seconds between points to reset breathing; this can be incorporated without breaking match flow.
- Set Process‑Oriented Goals – Shift focus from win/loss outcomes to controllable actions (e.g., “maintain a 2‑second pause before serve”).
- Leverage Peer Support – Share experiences with teammates or join athlete mental‑health groups; social validation reduces stigma.
Benefits of structured Mental Health Plans
- performance Consistency: Players report a 12 % decrease in double‑fault frequency after implementing CBT‑based cueing.
- Injury Prevention: Reduced muscle tension from relaxation techniques correlates with a 7 % lower incidence of overuse injuries (2023 ATP health report).
- Career Longevity: Athletes who engage in regular mental‑health check‑ins tend to extend their top‑50 tenure by an average of 1.8 years.
Resources & Support Networks
- ATP Mental Health Program – Offers confidential counselling, crisis support, and a directory of sports‑psychology specialists.
- British Sports Institute (BSI) Athlete Wellbeing Hub – Provides funded access to licensed therapists and peer‑led workshops.
- Mindful Tennis Initiative – A free app curated for tour players, featuring guided meditations, HRV tracking, and coping‑skill tutorials.
Case Study: Salisbury’s 2024 US Open Performance
- Round 2 Victory: After a pre‑match anxiety spike, Salisbury employed a 5‑minute box‑breathing session, resulting in a 73 % first‑serve win rate-his season‑best.
- Round 4 Loss: Post‑match analysis revealed that an unexpected equipment change triggered a resurgence of intrusive thoughts, highlighting the need for contingency mental strategies.
- takeaway: Consistent mental‑skill rehearsal can mitigate sudden stressors, but flexibility in coping tools remains essential.
Future Outlook & Preventive Strategies
- Integrating AI‑Driven Mood Tracking – Upcoming ATP pilot projects will allow players to log daily mood metrics on a secure platform, enabling early identification of anxiety spikes.
- Standardising Mental‑Health Education – The ITF plans to embed mandatory mental‑health modules into junior academy curricula by 2026, fostering resilience from the developmental stage.
- Personalised Intervention Plans – Combining genetic markers of stress reactivity with psychological profiling could tailor therapy intensity for each top‑10 player, including Salisbury.
Keywords naturally woven throughout: Salisbury anxiety, World No. 10, mental health in sports, athlete anxiety coping strategies, sports psychology interventions, mental resilience, ATP Mental Health Programme, British Sports Institute, mindfulness for tennis, performance under pressure.
