The ATP has announced new partnerships with Sporting Chance to support the mental health and wellbeing of its player members and staff.
The partnership between the ATP (Associations of Tennis Professionals) and Sporting Chance means ATP Player members will be able to contact a 24/7 helpline providing access to a triage team of therapists. Players will then be referred onto Sporting Chance’s network of therapists, all experienced at working with elite sportspeople. They will help the players deal with any issue they may be struggling with, from the psychological effects caused by COVID-19 and not playing tennis, to dealing with anxiety and depression or the effects of a sporting injury.
Today’s announcement highlights ATP’s increased focus on supporting the mental health of its players and staff. “Being mentally strong is just as important as physical strength in tennis and looking after the mental health of our players and staff is a key priority for us,” said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
“Everyone has been adapting to periods of self-isolation and decreased physical activity during the pandemic, but this can have a particularly detrimental effect on professional athletes who are used to particular training structure and playing day in day out. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support our players and staff during this time and I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve been able to announce in recent weeks and months which allow us to do this.”
“We are delighted to be working with the ATP in supporting their players at this difficult time,” said Tony Adams, MBE. "The challenges that all sports and sports professionals are experiencing in the light of this pandemic will be affecting all of us in different ways. I started Sporting Chance twenty years ago with the vision of creating a safe place for professional and elite athletes to discuss their emotional and mental health in confidence. Holding out our hand to those in need at this time is important to me and working with organisations like the ATP is a pleasure – well done Tennis!”
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