Sorribes Tormo set for comeback in Chile following battle with depression
After a six-month hiatus to focus on her mental health, Spanish tennis player Sara Sorribes Tormo will return to the court at the WTA 125 event in Colina, Chile, beginning November 17. The Olympic doubles bronze medalist had been diagnosed with depression and has not competed since the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in April, where she won both her singles and doubles matches.
Struggles off the court
In an interview with El Mundo, Sorribes Tormo opened up about her difficult period away from tennis and her uncertainty about returning to the sport.
"I couldn't even step onto a tennis court," Sorribes Tormo said. "I'd wake up in the morning and think that the more hours I had until I could train, the better. I'd step onto the court and want to leave immediately. I'd go to training and not last more than 10 minutes. I'd burst into tears in the middle of training. After I'd been out for a month, I came to play here with my mother and lasted three minutes; I had a panic attack and we had to leave."
The athlete described how losing her love for tennis created a deep struggle within her. "It was killing me not to enjoy it, because I've always loved tennis and played to improve," she said. "I just wanted the hours to pass. It was like coming to clock in. I didn't want to go to tournaments. That, combined with anxiety, made things very difficult."
Finding balance again
Sorribes Tormo shared that during the worst phase, she had almost no energy and could barely manage daily life, spending most days sleeping. Over time, she worked gradually to recover her mental well-being and reconnect with her love for the game. Her decision to return marks a significant step forward both personally and professionally.
Author’s summary: Sara Sorribes Tormo will make her long-awaited comeback in Chile after a six-month break battling depression, marking a hopeful new chapter in her tennis career.