Paula Badosa addresses mental health in tennis, Ashleigh Barty shock retirement

• Tennis News
• WTA Tennis

Paula Badosa thinks being surrounded by the right people is very important for tennis players or otherwise they could easily end up in a state where they feel depressed and anxious. Badosa, one of the best Spanish female tennis players, made the cover of the Spanish magazine Glamour.

Badosa, who is now 25, was asked about Glamour if there was something that might have pushed Ashleigh Barty to shockingly retire from tennis at the age of 25 while still ranked at No 1 last year. "For me, the most important thing is the environment you have, how you rely on them, because in the end it's very intense.

You are very young and you have to mature by leaps and bounds. Sometimes your head is not prepared to withstand all that pressure, that demand of playing in front of 20,000 people, the press, yourself. Lots of things accumulate.

In addition, there are social media, which is also something that influences. That is why there are players who retire, who experience anxiety, depression," Badosa told Glamour.es.

Badosa on how her well-being impacts her performance

In the past, Badosa battled depression and anxiety.

During that period, Badosa wasn't really doing well with her results and she was kind of in a dark place. Badosa is well-aware that her well-being greatly impacts her performance and that's why she is trying to do things that will make her happy and at peace.

"I am a very emotional person. I pay depending on my mood. I have verified that when I have been well, at peace with myself, calm and happy, I have performed better. For me you have to give 100% of yourself when you're training, but once your work day is over there's always time for everything, to relax, to try to disconnect.

Because in the end it's very intense, very mental and if you don't enjoy your moments is impossible to cope with," Badosa explained.