Tennis Star Erika Andreeva Wins After Mental Health Break

After questioning everything about herself and her career, 21-year-old tennis player Erika Andreeva just proved she still belongs on the court.

The Russian player crushed eighth seed Despina Papamichail 6-1, 6-2 at a professional tournament in Kitzbuhel, Austria last week. The victory comes just months after Erika took four months away from tennis to address serious mental health struggles that left her feeling worthless.

Erika's breaking point came in 2025 after her ninth straight loss at Wimbledon qualifying. Despite reaching a career-high ranking of No. 65 in 2024, she couldn't find her form or her joy in the sport anymore.

"I didn't enjoy playing. I didn't feel myself on court at all," Erika told the WTA in June. "I put myself below the bottom, thinking I'm terrible as a player, terrible as a person, that I don't deserve anything."

For the first month of her break, she didn't touch a racket or do any training. She needed to figure out if she even wanted to continue playing tennis.

The decision to step back turned out to be exactly what she needed. When she returned to competition this year, she took it slowly, playing smaller tournaments and focusing on rebuilding her confidence one match at a time.

Against Papamichail, Erika looked like a completely different player. She broke serve six times and controlled the match from start to finish, never giving her opponent a chance to settle in.

The win is only her third main-draw victory of 2026, but it represents so much more than a spot in the second round. Her ranking has climbed from No. 362 in February to around No. 231 today.

Why This Inspires

Erika's openness about her struggles sends a powerful message to athletes at every level. By speaking honestly about feeling inadequate and needing time away, she's helping break down the stigma around mental health in professional sports.

Her younger sister Mirra has been enjoying success at the top level of tennis, but Erika says she's proud of her sibling because she understands the hidden challenges players face. The support between them has been crucial during Erika's recovery.

Every player who steps back onto the court after a mental health break helps normalize the conversation about athlete wellness.