CNN —Billie Jean King has urged players that are struggling with the demands of being a tennis professional to seek support from psychologists.
“Being a pro-athlete is hard,” tennis great King, who won 39 major titles, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
“The WTA [Women’s Tennis Association] has been fantastic with mental health for years, but people would say: ‘Why aren’t you doing anything?’Billie Jean King says support is available for players on the WTA Tour.
The governing body has provided staff that are dedicated to athletes’ mental health for more than 25 years, with a Mental Health Care Provider available in person at tournaments, including all four grand slams, and there are virtual meetings available upon request in between tournaments.
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the 2021 French Open, citing her mental health.
Persons:
Billie Jean King, Naomi Osaka, Sabalenka, “, Emma Raducanu, King, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, JP Yim, Kathleen Stroia, Ukraine –, Aleksandr Lukashenko, Tim Clayton, Raducanu, ”, hadn't, Clive Brunskill, “ We’ve, I’ve, ’ ”
Organizations:
CNN, WTA, Mental Health, ‘, Virginia Slims Circuit, WTA Tour, Wimbledon
Locations:
Paris, Ukraine, Osaka, Belarus