To mark Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Tennis Canada is publishing a series of articles written by the Ambassadors of the Mental Timeout initiative supported by Beneva. In the second article of the series, Grand Slam champion Bianca Andreescu provides insight into her ongoing mental health journey through the lens of the ‘Promote’ pillar of Tennis Canada’s Mental Health Strategy.
Mental Heath Awareness Month means a lot to me, and it means something extra this year since it coincides with my comeback to the Tour. I’m feeling great. It's been a journey full of ups and downs, and I’m grateful for each experience. Every day offers something new to learn, and I'm embracing the opportunities to grow.
One of the biggest lessons my mental health and wellness journey has taught me is the importance of patience and perseverance, letting things flow naturally rather than trying to control every aspect of my life. I've also come to realize how essential gratitude is; acknowledging the small joys really shifts my perspective and keeps me grounded.
Being back on court fills me with gratitude. I’ve never felt more committed to my craft. I’m approaching my return with a mix of enthusiasm and focus because this is in a way may be my last chance, so I don’t want to waste any time. I’m looking forward to channeling all the lessons I’ve learned over the past months into my game. I feel ready to compete again and can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds. I know there are going to be rough patches along the way but, I have to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and look at each challenge as a blessing in disguise. This mindset allows me to find meaning in the struggles and pushes me to keep moving forward, knowing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Incorporating journaling into my daily routine has contributed to maintaining this positive outlook. It helps me reflect on my thoughts and emotions, keeping me more centered. I've also incorporated longer meditation sessions, which allow me to dive deeper into mindfulness and self-awareness.
Sometimes us humans need to go through the lowest of the low to really change, and I think going through an emergency appendix surgery in February and another six months off the tour really led to that. Now I know what I can do, and I know that the U.S. Open win wasn’t in another lifetime. I believed too much of what other people said. Like, 'She's a one-hit wonder.' 'Oh, she's a fluke, 2019 is the only success she'll ever have. Today, instead of looking back and saying, ‘Oh, that was so nice,’ now I have the narrative, ‘Yes, that was nice, but I know I can do it again.’ While I believe we’ve made significant strides in promoting mental health awareness, but there’s still much work to be done. We need to continue creating an open dialogue and education around mental health, especially in sports and high-pressure environments where athletes often feel they have to maintain a facade.
Being open about my mental health struggles through the years has been incredibly freeing for me. It creates a sense of connection with others who may be feeling the same way, and that collective experience is powerful. It's a reminder that I'm not alone in this journey, and sharing my vulnerabilities has allowed me to process my feelings more deeply and foster a supportive community. A special thank you to all of you for being part of that community. So many of you have cheered me on since day one and your support means the world, especially when times are tough. I’m so excited to share this new phase of my tennis career with you. See you on the court!
Feature photo by: Martin Sidorjak
