Former top 10 player suffered from depression: World number 670 writes qualifying fairy tales in Paris

class=”sc-29f61514-0 kHgAwW”>

In 2019, Lucas Pouille (29) was in the semifinals of the Australian Open. After that, the former top 10 player suffered an unparalleled crash. The sporting failure hit the psyche. But now he has fought his way back to the big stage in Paris with a clear goal in mind.

Two hours have been played when Pouille writes a tennis fairy tale with his three-set victory (1: 6, 7: 5, 6: 0) over the Austrian Jurij Rodionov (24). As number 670 in the world, the local hero plays in the main tournament in Paris. As Pouille is applauded by the audience, his tears flow – he has been through too much in recent years.

Injury, crash, depression

Last March, the Frenchman spoke about his mental problems in “L’Équipe”. Starting with the sporting descent, which was brought on by an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, Pouille slipped into depression. Sportingly, he only won eight games on the ATP tour in 2021 and 2022. In June 2022, the decision was made not to play any more tournaments for the time being.

He had developed a dark side and could not accept the fact that he was sinking lower and lower in the world rankings. “I suffered from depression, only slept an hour a night and started drinking alone,” he gave an insight into the difficult time in an interview. «I couldn’t sleep at night, I stared at the ceiling with wide eyes. It was really scary.”

Paris 2024 as a big goal

The decision not to play tennis helped him. “I stopped playing tennis because of my mental health. Otherwise I would have ended up in an institution.” Pouille had other priorities in life and grew up. “I have my daughter. That is more important than clothes or nice cars.”

Pouille found his way back to tennis when his compatriot Pierre-Hugues Herbert (32) asked him to “play a few balls with him” before the tournament in Paris-Bercy. He was also asked about the Olympic Games, which will take place in Paris in the summer of 2024. He has never competed in the Olympic Games. Pouille: «It clicked. I told my wife I would try tennis again. She was overjoyed. I think about Paris 2024 every day.”

Whether he can achieve this goal is still in the stars. Playing the Roland Garros main draw as world number 670 could prove to be a milestone on the way to the 2024 Olympics. (dti)

Source : Blick