Ana Ivanovic Reveals Decades-Long Struggle with Severe Panic Attacks During Tennis Career
Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Former tennis star Ana Ivanovic revealed she suffered from severe panic attacks during her career.
- She experienced these attacks for nearly a decade while competing at the highest level.
- Ivanovic kept her struggles private throughout her top-tier tennis career.
Former world No. 1 tennis player Ana Ivanovic has revealed the intense personal battles she faced during her career, disclosing that she suffered from severe panic attacks. The Serbian athlete shared that these debilitating episodes occurred for nearly a decade while she was competing at the elite level of professional tennis.
Ivanovic, who retired from the sport in 2016, admitted that she concealed her struggles from the public and even many within the sport. The anxiety and fear associated with the attacks often struck during matches, creating immense pressure on top of the already demanding competitive environment.
Her candid admission offers a rare glimpse into the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes, highlighting the often-unseen pressures and anxieties that accompany high-stakes performances. Ivanovic's willingness to speak openly about her experience aims to shed light on the importance of mental well-being in sports.
Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.