A Quiet Crisis Behind the Tour Rankings On June 21, 2024, Swiss tennis player Leandro Riedi attempted to take his life.
The 24-year-old made the disclosure in an Instagram statement reported by Punto de Break, pulling back the curtain on a hidden struggle with mental health while ranked outside the top tier of men’s professional tennis.
Currently holding the 245th position in the world rankings and having previously reached 116th with a near entry into the top 100, Riedi contrasted his on-court standing with his internal reality. While navigating a demanding physical trajectory that included operations, injuries, and a wrist issue following a September 2024 surgery, the Swiss competitor revealed that his distress ran much deeper than standard athletic setbacks.
In his public statement, Riedi detailed the severity of the psychological challenges he concealed from those around him. Durante mucho tiempo, sufrí ansiedad, ataques de pánico y una lucha interna que la mayoría de la gente a mi alrededor no podía percibir
(ESPN Deportes), the player shared, noting that the turning point occurred on the date he will never forget.
Despite declining to enter into the specific reasons or details behind the attempt, Riedi credited professional assistance, family support, and rigorous personal work for his recovery. He confirmed that those dark thoughts have since vanished, leaving him genuinely happy and grateful to be alive. Furthermore, he emphasized that professional achievements pale in comparison to personal well-being, stating that his health, happiness, and life will always come first.
Le message de Leandro Riedi sur Instagram qui révèle avoir tenté de mettre fin à ses jours en 2024… 🇨🇭😢 « 21 juin 2024. Un jour que je n’oublierai jamais. Ce jour-là, ma vie a changé à jamais. J’ai atteint un point où j’ai tenté de mettre fin à mes jours. Je ne souhaite pas… pic.twitter.com/C746BGCpHy
Born in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, in 2002 into an aviation-focused family, Riedi later made waves as a qualifier reaching the round of 16 at the 2025 US Open by defeating players like Francisco Cerúndolo before falling to Alex de Miñaur. Yet his recent message shifted focus away from tournament brackets entirely, aiming instead to reach anyone experiencing similar isolation.
No comparto esto para despertar compasión. Lo comparto porque si tan solo una persona lee estas líneas y se da cuenta de que no está sola, entonces habrá valido la pena
, Riedi stated, urging individuals to turn to loved ones and seek professional guidance without shame.
While the tennis professional continues to face athletic and physical hurdles on the tour, questions remain regarding how professional sports circuits will address the hidden mental burdens carried by athletes striving far away from the spotlight.
