Joe Salisbury Takes Time Off from Tennis Amid Anxiety Issues

Joe Salisbury, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has declared a break from tennis for several months due to severe anxiety impacting his physical and mental well-being. In a candid interview with BBC Sport, he revealed that he does not anticipate returning before April.

This year, Salisbury has grappled with his anxiety, which manifests as heart palpitations and a persistent tremor throughout his body. These sensations have made it challenging for him to enjoy the game or concentrate on playing.

He mentioned experiencing stomach issues that hindered his eating and sleeping. The anxiety would escalate at various points during the year, creating feelings of dread before matches.

Despite performing at a high level, Salisbury described how the mental strain of managing his anxiety has taken its toll. Although he could play, the emotional burden transformed the competitive experience into an exhausting task.

Alongside his doubles partner Neal Skupski, Salisbury had a remarkable season, finishing as runners-up in six tournaments, including prestigious events like the French Open and the U.S. Open. They also reached the finals of the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, where they were narrowly defeated.

In 2022, he achieved a career milestone by ranking as the world No. 1 doubles player, becoming only the third British man to attain this status. This year, he concluded his season ranked No. 10 in the world.

However, Salisbury recognized that without addressing his anxiety, he risked exacerbating the situation. His hiatus means he will likely miss the Australian Open in January.

Salisbury shared that he has rarely discussed his anxiety previously but hopes that by opening up, he can encourage others to speak about their mental health challenges. He believes many athletes face similar issues.

The conversation around mental health in tennis has gained momentum, with several prominent players candidly sharing their own struggles. Naomi Osaka took a break in 2021 after revealing her battle with depression, and Amanda Anisimova also stepped away in 2023, citing unbearable conditions on the tour.

By sharing his journey, Salisbury aims to contribute to a more honest dialogue about mental health issues in sports.