PARIS (Reuters) – Simona Halep mentioned she would have to learn to put much less stress on herself after struggling a panic attack throughout her second-round loss on the French Open on Thursday.
The former world primary and 2018 French Open champion referred to as for the physician throughout the third set of her loss to Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen on Court Simonne Mathieu.
“It was only a panic attack. It occurred,” she instructed reporters with a smile afterwards.
“I did not understand how to deal with it, as a result of I haven’t got it typically. I do not actually know why it occurred, as a result of I used to be main the match, I used to be enjoying effectively.
“I misplaced it. I could not focus. After the match, was fairly powerful. But now I’m good. I’m recovered, and I’ll learn from this episode. Nothing like harmful, for my part.”
The psychological well being of high girls athletes has been introduced into focus during the last 12 months after Naomi Osaka and American gymnast Simone Biles spoke out about their struggles.
Halep, who misplaced three Grand Slam finals earlier than successful majors at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, mentioned final 12 months she typically struggled to deal with the stress of being an elite athlete.
The 30-year-old Romanian mentioned she had been given the all clear by docs after her panic attack and was decided to learn from the expertise.
“It’s only a tennis match, so I’ve to (be) somewhat bit extra relaxed. I in all probability put stress on myself an excessive amount of, as a result of I actually wished to do effectively,” she added.
“I felt good. I practiced. I labored laborious. But simply did not occur, and possibly I obtained somewhat little bit of panic throughout that pondering, overthinking.
“It occurred. I’ve to settle for it. It’s one thing regular that everyone has. I will likely be higher subsequent time, for certain. I haven’t got this stuff so it was new for me.”
(Writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, modifying by Peter Rutherford)
