Swiss tennis professional Leandro Riedi has publicly shared that he attempted to take his own life in June 2024.
The 24-year-old Zurich native used an Instagram post to bring attention to his mental health struggles, stating the event profoundly changed his life and urging greater awareness of psychological challenges.
“On that day, my life changed forever. I reached a point where I tried to end my own life,” Riedi wrote in the post, as reported by nau.ch. He did not provide specific reasons for the attempt but felt compelled to speak out because “mental health deserves much more attention.”
The athlete described battling invisible internal struggles, including anxiety and panic attacks. “I fought in a mental battle that most people around me could not see,” he stated, according to Oberösterreichische Nachrichten.
Riedi credits his recovery to professional help, support from his close circle, and his own personal efforts. “Thanks to the best professional help I could ask for, the support of the people closest to me, and a lot of work on myself, I slowly found my way back,” he said.
Riedi now expresses immense pride in his progress. “I am incredibly proud to say that those thoughts are far away. I am truly happy, grateful for my life, and excited for the future,” he wrote. His experience reshaped his outlook, teaching him that “victories and success don’t mean much if you are not at peace with yourself.” His health, happiness, and life are now his top priorities.
This revelation comes amid a challenging period for his tennis career. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since June with a left wrist injury that required surgery, dropping his ATP ranking to 245, according to multiple reports. The post highlighted the dual toll of his profession.
“I have had many operations, injuries, and setbacks. There are still challenges, both physically and mentally. But today I know how important it is to take care of myself and ask for help when I need it,” Riedi wrote.
Riedi concluded with a powerful message of solidarity: “I am not alone,” he wrote, a statement directed at others facing similar struggles. His post resonated widely, with outlets noting he shared his experience to encourage others.
Confidential and free support is available in Switzerland. The Dargebotene Hand can be reached at 143 or through their website, 143.ch. Youth can contact Beratung + Hilfe at 147 or www.147.ch. Additional resources are available at reden-kann-retten.ch, as reported by Watson and nau.ch.
With his current recovery from wrist surgery, Riedi’s immediate focus is on returning to the court.
At the time of his post, Riedi noted that the date of his suicide attempt, June 21, 2024, was a day he would “never forget” and would “always carry with him.” He made the experience public to encourage other people affected by similar situations. The 24-year-old Zurich native has been forced to take many involuntary breaks in his career due to injuries.
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