Emil Ruusuvuori has bravely shared his journey through mental health challenges, shedding light on the struggles he has faced both on and off the tennis court. The Finnish tennis player has been open about experiencing panic attacks, which prompted him to take a significant break from the sport to focus on his mental well-being.
Ruusuvuori revealed that his mental health issues intensified during tournaments, affecting his focus and performance. He recounted moments of feeling disconnected from reality, such as during a match at Wimbledon where he experienced a mental blackout. These challenges extended beyond tennis, impacting his daily life, including episodes while driving.
Initially seeking professional help a decade ago, Ruusuvuori’s mental health struggles became more pronounced in recent years. He described a particularly distressing morning in Florida, waking up with a sensation of being strangled, unable to breathe or speak. These experiences led him to step away from competition to prioritize his mental health.
Upon returning to the tour, Ruusuvuori has become an advocate for mental health awareness in sports. By sharing his story, he aims to inspire others to seek support and emphasize the importance of mental well-being. His candidness has resonated with fans and fellow athletes, contributing to the ongoing conversation about mental health in professional tennis.
Emil Ruusuvuori’s Personal Account
Ruusuvuori explained, “For four and a half months last year, I did not touch a racquet. It was not for a reason you might expect, though. It was because of my mental health. When it was bad, I started to forget things. My body was in one place, but my mind was somewhere else. It would go from something as simple as nearly forgetting my racquets to suffering panic attacks.”
He continued, “I knew it was going too far at Roland Garros, because what was happening in my head at tournaments began affecting my life outside the court. I could not sleep well to the point that I started having nightmares. I would wake up sweating with my heart pounding, and I couldn’t breathe. It made me think I was going crazy.”
Ruusuvuori elaborated on his experiences: “I would wake up in the morning and go to practice, but I was not there. It became a matter of going through the motions. When it came time for my first-round match in Paris, it felt like I was not really on the court. I was not present except for my feet on the clay, so it was no surprise that I lost in straight sets.”
“I tried to take one or two weeks off to see if that would help before heading to Surbiton for an ATP Challenger Tour event on grass. Instead, I actually had a panic attack on court. I would tell you what it felt like, but I don’t really remember the match,” he added.
He also shared his experiences during Wimbledon: “As you can imagine, these things were very scary. I started to have panic attacks off the court, including when I was driving. During Wimbledon, I needed to pull off the road, stop and get out of the car because it sometimes felt like I could pass out. I had no control.”
Reflecting on his Wimbledon experience, Ruusuvuori said, “Somehow I made the third round of the tournament, but for half of my match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, I mentally blacked out. I just remember wanting to run off the court. It was an absurd place to be – I was playing at one of the events I dreamt of competing in as a kid and all I wanted was to be somewhere else or somebody else.”
He concluded, “Soon enough, I knew something had to change. Enough was enough.”
Current Status
As of 2025, Emil Ruusuvuori, currently ranked world no.254, played his last match on May 14th, where he lost to world no.123 Jerome Kym 6-2 6-0 in the second round of the Zagreb Challenger. This season, he has recorded a 6-9 win-loss record. He is scheduled to participate in the French Open on May 25th and Wimbledon on June 30th.