Swiss tennis player Leandro Riedi disclosed on November 9 that he attempted to take his own life on June 21, 2024.
The 24-year-old, currently ranked 245th in the world, shared the details of his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks via his official Instagram account.
Riedi, who reached a career-high ranking of 116th this past June, stated that the incident altered his perspective on his professional career. “I have tried to take my own life,” he wrote. “I don’t intend to talk about the reasons or details, but I want to talk about my experience because I think mental health should receive much more attention.”
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
The Swiss athlete credited professional support and the assistance of those close to him for his recovery. He stated that he has moved past the mindset he experienced earlier this year and is currently focused on his well-being.
Riedi emphasized that his values regarding professional success have shifted following the experience. “I learned that victory and success don’t mean much if you aren’t healthy and happy inside,” he noted. “For me, health, happiness, and my life are always the top priority.”
❤️ Le témoignage bouleversant de Leandro Riedi 🇨🇭 sur sa santé mentale. Le Suisse de 24 ans, actuellement 245e, révèle sur Instagram avoir tenté de mettre fin à ses jours il y a deux ans, alors qu’il était 137e mondial. 🗣️ « 21 juin 2024. Une journée que je n’oublierai jamais.… pic.twitter.com/p6qoLK7rWW
Riedi established his credentials as a junior player, winning the 2020 Australian Open boys’ doubles title and reaching the final of the boys’ singles at the French Open that same year. In his professional career, he advanced to the fourth round of the US Open qualifying last year.
His recent professional trajectory has been interrupted by persistent physical injuries. He underwent his fourth surgery in two years this past summer and has not competed in a professional match since June. Riedi is currently targeting a return to the ATP tour in early 2027.
Riedi explained that his decision to share his story was not driven by a desire for sympathy. He expressed hope that his admission might resonate with others facing similar internal challenges.
“If just one person reads this and realizes they are not alone, then it is worth talking about,” Riedi stated. He acknowledged that future challenges remain but confirmed he now understands the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking help when necessary.
