‘I need a break’
ANDY LAPTHORNE CITES MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN AFTER LOSSES
EASTCOTE’S Andy Lapthorne is taking a break from tennis after losing in the quad singles final of the French Open, admitting he is “struggling” mentally.
Lapthorne and Australia’s Dylan Alcott finished runners-up in the quad doubles decider on Friday before Alcott beat Lapthorne in Saturday’s singles final.
World number two Lapthorne made an encouraging start to the quad singles final, earning a 2-0 lead. However, Alcott won the next six games to take the opening set and broke for a 3-1 second set lead as Lapthorne struggled to find the kind of tennis that saw him beat Alcott in the 2019 US Open final.
With Lapthorne serving to stay in the match Alcott earned three match points, sealing his win with a backhand half volley drop shot.
And after a tough weekend, Lapthorne has decided to step back for a period, citing his need to focus on improving his mental health.
The 29-year-old revealed he has recently lost two aunties and with other members of his family also suffering ill-health, the tennis star is taking a break.
“[It’s] probably going to be my last match for a while. I’m going to take a break from tennis for a bit, try to get my mind fixed,” said Lapthorne. “I’ve been probably struggling now for nearly a year with things in the mind. Probably been a bit in denial as to what it actually is, what it was. Just try to tell myself to man up and go on with it. (I’m at) a point now where it’s becoming too difficult to do that.
“I’m happy to get to the final, happy to get through that match. If I’m honest, it was really difficult to get out of bed this morning and put myself in a position I did today, which was going on to a big court under high pressure live on TV against probably the best player that’s ever played in our division.
“I’ll go home now and I’ll speak to my guy that I speak to. We’ll see where we are. I hope I can be back raring to go, ready for Australia. But no guarantees right now because I need to look after myself and I need to get right before I start coming out for these events again.”
I hope I can be back raring to go for Australia. But no guarantees right now because I need to look after myself... Andy Lapthorne