Lower-ranked players struggle with mental and physical strain near end of long season

Terence Atmane tosses his racket during a match against Alexander Zverev during the Cincinnati Open in Mason, Ohio, on Aug. 17. | Imagn Images / VIA REUTERS

Reuters

Nov 1, 2026

Frenchman Terence Atmane’s admission that he has been struggling with his mental health after an outburst at last month’s Shanghai Masters highlighted the pressures lower-ranked tennis players face as another demanding season draws to a close.

Atmane threw his racket toward the stands and narrowly missed striking fans in a qualifying match before apologizing publicly for his conduct and detailing the stress of a sharp drop in his ranking to the edge of the top 100.

The closing weeks of a grueling 11-month campaign can be particularly difficult for lower-ranked players, as fatigue and poor results collide with the pressure to compete for ranking points and prize money that could transform their prospects.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

SUBSCRIBE NOW