Tennis players may make it look effortless on the court, but life behind the scenes is anything but easy. They deal with grueling schedules, endless travel, and immense pressure to perform. On top of that, many players have faced personal battles with mental health. Naomi Osaka and Andrey Rublev are just a few who have spoken about their struggles, shedding light on the hidden challenges of the sport. Now, another player has stepped forward—ATP pro Federico Gómez.

Gómez, currently ranked No. 135 in the ATP rankings, recently shocked fans with a deeply personal message on social media. In an emotional and raw post, the Argentine revealed that he has been going through one of the toughest periods of his life. “The last 6 months have been some of the hardest I’ve ever had to live as a human being. Living with thoughts of leaving tennis completely, of really questioning myself if all this is really worth it and even repeatedly suicidal thoughts of not wanting to live anymore and leave this world…” he shared.

It’s a heartbreaking confession, especially considering that the past year had been one of the best years on the court. But off the court, the Argentinian tennis player was struggling. He achieved his career-best ranking of No. 135 and secured three Challenger titles in Milan, Trieste, and Guayaquil. However, as his results improved, his mental health declined. He revealed, “This may come as a surprise to many, but 2024 was undoubtedly the best year of my tennis career, yet it was simultaneously the worst year personally, and this recent period has been no exception.”

Success on paper doesn’t always translate to happiness in real life. The contrast between professional achievements and personal struggles is something many athletes quietly endure. Moreover, another ATP player had revealed his struggle with mental health recently.

ATP Pro Andrey Rublev opens up on his struggle with mental health

Andrey Rublev, who just won his first title of the 2025 season at the Qatar Open, has also been candid about his battle with mental health. Despite his achievements on the court, including a title at the 2024 Madrid Open, Rublev admitted he was struggling off it. He described feeling trapped in a dark mental space for years. “I was just kind of in a loop, lost with myself for a couple of years, not finding the way, not understanding what to do, what for? It sounds a bit dramatic, like what’s the reason or purpose to live?” the Russian tennis player said.

At one point, Rublev turned to antidepressants for support. While they helped temporarily, it wasn’t until he had a conversation with former world No. 1 Marat Safin that his perspective shifted. The Russian opened up about how that conversation helped him “start to move in a better direction.” Now, he’s in a more stable place. “I’m just neutral, not happy, not bad, but at least I found the base, and that’s like a beginning.” Even though he may not have all the answers yet, finding stability is a crucial first step.

It takes an immense amount of courage to speak openly about mental health. For athletes constantly in the public eye, it’s even harder. Gómez and Rublev’s stories highlight the unseen battles that many players face. Their honesty is not just about their healing but also about changing the conversation around mental health in tennis.