I was No2 tennis player in the world but Maria Sharapova comparisons drove me into a black hole of depression
FORMER world No2 tennis player Paula Badosa has opened up on how comparisons to Maria Sharapova drove her into a black hole of depression.
Spain have produced some of the best tennis players in the world with Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz leading the way in recent decades.
Badosa had success in the game but it wasn’t easy at first as she suffered from anxiety and depression from a young age.
The 25 year old spoke to Mark The Difference on the clay courts at David Lloyd de La Finca.
She took the opportunity to recall why early comparisons to Sharapova took their toll.
Badosa said: “It bothered me not because they compared me to a legend who played tennis very well and was also very elegant.
“But it put pressure on me that I was not used to and that I did not know how to manage.
“Everyone expected me to be top ten at 18 years old and I was not physically, mentally or tennis ready for it.”
The former world No2 explained that those comparisons put extra pressure on her with people expecting her to win every match.
Badosa admitted she couldn’t handle the expectation and quickly slipped into depression.
She added: “I was dealing with a lot of mental health issues because my head wasn’t prepared to listen to all those things.”
Badosa revealed she feels mental health is still a taboo subject but that is it improving thanks to other athletes.
She continued: “[The conversation surrounding mental health] is improving a lot thanks to the testimony of athletes like Simone Billes or Naomi Osaka, among others.
“People see it as a sign of weakness and it’s the complete opposite. A head is not prepared the same at 18 years as at 35 to manage certain things.”
The Spaniard admitted that she uses a psychologist and that it’s very helpful.
When asked if sought advice, Badosa revealed: “Yes, and it helps me a lot.
“I have a team and an environment that also supports me a lot and that is more concerned about Paula as a person than Paula as a tennis player.
“They make me see that if you improve every day and you feel good with yourself, if there is talent, the results end up coming.”
Badosa most recently lost in the quarter final of last weekend’s Charleston Open to the richest tennis player on the planet, Jessica Pegula.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm