Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has spoken candidly about the mental pressures and emotional challenges athletes face during their careers.
In a recent podcast, Mirza said that every athlete experiences periods of stress and anxiety, emphasizing that it is wrong to treat players like robots because they are human and have emotions. She revealed that she herself faced bouts of depression at the peak of her career.
“Over the past eight to ten years, people have started talking openly about mental health. Earlier, it was considered a taboo, but now discussions happen without hesitation,” Mirza said.
She added that the spotlight of fame can intensify pressure on athletes, sometimes making even basic tasks like breathing feel overwhelming.
