Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion and former world number one in doubles, has announced he will be taking a break from professional tennis due to anxiety and mental health challenges. The 33-year-old from Liverpool will step away from the sport until at least April 2026 after a year in which his anxiety intensified, manifesting in both physical and emotional symptoms.

Salisbury, who has achieved remarkable success on the ATP Tour, described the toll anxiety has taken on his body:

“I’ve had heart palpitations, a feeling of your heart beating all around your body. You feel like your body is almost a bit shaky, almost like your whole body is vibrating a little bit.”

Career Achievements Amid Challenges

Despite these struggles, Salisbury’s career has been highly successful. He became only the second British man in history to reach world number one in doubles in 2022, and his Grand Slam tally includes a remarkable hat-trick of US Open doubles titles. Over the years, he has faced moments of anxiety before, but the intensity of his symptoms this year led him to step back.

Decision to Take a Longer Break

Salisbury had already been taking short breaks during a series of tournaments in Asia this autumn. After reflecting on his well-being, he decided it was time for a more extended hiatus.

“It’s been tough to deal with at times, and it’s made me not want to be playing and competing at times throughout the year,” he explained.

Symptoms such as nausea, sleep disruption, and lack of appetite contributed to his decision. He described the experience as “a feeling of dread – that something bad is going to happen.” While he may allow himself the occasional casual hit, he plans to completely switch off from tennis until spring.

Plans During Hiatus

Salisbury intends to make the most of his time away from the tour with a variety of activities, including a safari in Kenya, a skiing trip with his girlfriend’s family, and a traditional Christmas at home—luxuries that are difficult to enjoy during a demanding tennis season.

Doubles Partnership and Future Plans

This season, Salisbury partnered with fellow Briton Neal Skupski, reaching six finals including the French Open, US Open, and ATP Finals in Turin. While they did not capture a title together this year, Salisbury emphasized that anxiety did not heavily impact his on-court performance:

“We’ve played well, especially the past six months. I feel like I’ve dealt with it well and managed to get myself into a good enough state on court to perform well in most of the matches that I have played.”

Salisbury’s partnership with Skupski will be paused temporarily, as he plans to team up with American Christian Harrison from January 2026. He remains open to resuming his partnership with Skupski in the future, depending on both players’ schedules and results.

Mental Health in Professional Tennis

Salisbury is not alone in facing mental health challenges in tennis. Japan’s Naomi Osaka openly discussed her struggles with depression before taking a hiatus in 2021, while American Amanda Anisimova took four months away from the sport in 2023 due to similar issues. Mental health breaks are becoming more recognized as an important part of athlete well-being, emphasizing that professional success does not make players immune to psychological pressures.

Salisbury reflected on the broader context of mental health in tennis:

“I think a lot of people don’t want to share too much because they don’t want other people to know about that, when you are having to go and compete against them. But to be honest, I don’t really mind if people do know. I’m sure it’s something which a lot of other people are having to deal with, and I don’t think it would have any impact on me.”

He also believes that managing these challenges has strengthened him mentally over the past year.

Support and Resources

For anyone affected by similar issues, information and support can be found through organizations such as the BBC Action Line, which provides mental health resources for athletes and the public alike.