Leandro Riedi, the Swiss tennis player’s confession: “I attempted suicide”
Swiss tennis player Leandro Riedi, born in 2002 and currently ranked No. 242 in the ATP rankings after having come close to the Top 100, shared a powerful and painful personal account on social media. In a lengthy post on Instagram, the player spoke for the first time about a particularly difficult period in his life, marked by mental health struggles and culminating in a suicide attempt.
The Swiss player decided to go public with his experience to raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being and encourage those in distress to seek help.
“June 21, 2024. A day I will never forget. That day, my life changed forever. I reached the point of attempting to take my own life. I don’t want to go into the reasons or the details, but I want to talk about it because mental health deserves much more attention.”
The tennis player from Frauenfeld then described the difficulties he faced off the court, often without the people around him realizing how much he was suffering.
“For a long time, I struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, and an inner battle that most people around me couldn’t see. Thanks to the best professional help I could ever hope to receive, the support of my loved ones, and a lot of hard work on myself, I’ve slowly found my way back.”
It was a complicated journey, navigated with the help of specialists and the closeness of his closest loved ones, which allowed him to regain peace of mind and confidence in the future.
“Today, I am incredibly proud to say that those thoughts have disappeared. I’m truly happy, grateful for my life, and excited about the future. This experience has changed my perspective on everything. I’ve learned that victories and success don’t mean much if you’re not at peace with yourself.”
Above all, Riedi wanted to send a message to anyone going through a similar situation, emphasizing that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.
“I’m not sharing this to elicit pity. I’m sharing this because if even one person reads these words and realizes they’re not alone, then it will have been worth it. If you’re going through a difficult time, please talk to someone. Reach out to the people closest to you. Seek professional help. There’s nothing to be ashamed of in asking for help. I’m living proof that things can get better. You’re not alone.”
On the sports front, the player is preparing to return to competition after a long hiatus due to a wrist injury, for which he underwent surgery last June. In early October, he resumed training with his racket, regaining his enthusiasm after months away from the tour.
His return is scheduled for January 2027, with the goal of climbing back up the world rankings and finally securing a spot among the top 100 players in the world.
