Tennis Champion Madison Keys Attributes Her Australian Open Win To Therapy

Mental health and educating people about the benefits of doing good by it has come a long way. People have started learning the different aspects of it and how it can greatly affect the well-being, physical and mental, of a person. But the lack of it in the field of sports had not been a big topic up until a few years ago, when big players like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka spoke up about their mental health and the steps they are taking to better it. This caused quite a stir among viewers and players themselves, while a majority of them were supportive, many believed that as sports people, they should ‘suck it up’ and keep playing. But for players to do well on the field, they need to keep their head in the game! And doing so has shown to be fruitful by none other than our Australian Open champion Madison Keys. The 29-year-old tennis player speaks to Associated Press about the role therapy played in her recent win and even credited her win to her therapist.

After winning her first big tennis tournament in Australia, Madison Keys showed how important her support system is. She immediately contacted her family and her therapist, showing how much, she values these relationships, especially when dealing with the pressures of professional sports. This win shows not just her skill as an athlete, but also how much she cares about her mental and emotional health.

What Role Does Mental Health Play In Sports?

Mass General Brigham tells us that playing sports can be good for your mental health. Being on a team and exercising regularly can boost your well-being. However, some things about sports can also make it harder to stay mentally healthy. While sports offer benefits like exercise and social connections, athletes still face the same mental health risks as anyone else. Things like a family history of mental illness, feeling lonely, or stressful life events can make athletes more likely to struggle.

Also, some things specific to sports can cause problems, such as the demanding time commitment of training and travel, the pressure to win and the fear of failure, balancing sports with other responsibilities like school, and pressure from themselves or others to perform well. After beating Aryna Sabalenka, Keys talked about how therapy helped her overcome negative thoughts that had held her back before. One of those thoughts was the fear of not meeting other people’s expectations if she didn’t win a big tournament. Therapy taught her how to fight those negative thoughts and think in a more positive way. This self-discovery and personal growth were key to her winning in Australia.

Why Mental Healthcare In Sports Should Be taken More Seriously

Keys stressed how important it is to “just be really honest and actually get help and actually talk to someone and not just about tennis, but about how I felt about myself.” She knew it would be uncomfortable to be so open and honest, but she believes it was necessary for her success. It can still be hard for athletes to talk about mental health because some people have wrong ideas about it. Some might think that saying you have anxiety, or another mental health problem means you're weak. But it's actually the opposite, admitting you're struggling and getting help is a sign of strength.

Some Key Points To Keep In Mind

Mental health and sports must go hand in hand not just for the well-being of players but also so that their performance does not suffer. Keys expresses to Associate Press that “the stigma around therapy, not just in sports, is slowly going away.” She really believes everyone should try therapy, saying, “I think everyone should be in therapy, no matter what. I think it helps.” Talking openly about therapy helps make it more normal and encourages people to get help when they need it. Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding this.

Regularly check in with athletes and give them a chance to talk

Let them know they can come to you about anything, not just sports. Make it clear that mental health is important for playing well. Emphasize that taking care of your mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Have a sports psychologist available

This is for athletes to talk to when they need it. If that’s not possible, find helpful resources online. Help teammates connect and build trust by having team events. This builds a strong team spirit.

Provide information and training

Things like managing stress and eating healthy. You could do this through workshops or videos. Talk openly about tough emotions that come up in sports as this makes it normal to talk about mental health.