Grand Slam Winner Talks Mental Health and Opens Up About His Struggles and Offers Support to Others

Author: Shaun Boyce and Bobby Schindler
Published: Tue 04 Mar 2025
Episode Link: https://letsgotennis.com/atlanta-tennis-podcast/grand-slam-winner-talks-mental-health-and-opens-up-about-his-struggles-and-offers-support-to-others

Episode #21 Season 25: Shaun Boyce & Justin Yeo

🎾 What This Episode Is Really About

Is tennis good or bad for your mental health?

That depends on who you ask — and what level you play. In this honest and layered conversation, Grand Slam champion Murphy Jensen and tennis coach Justin Yeo sit down with Shaun to unpack the very different mental health realities between professionals and recreational players.

On one end, elite athletes like Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios are publicly struggling with burnout, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other, rec players talk about tennis as a mental escape — even as they're losing sleep over line calls and doubles partners.

So which is it? Murphy and Justin don’t offer easy answers — they offer real ones.

📌 Key Themes and Ideas We Explore

Pro Tennis: Fame, Pressure, and Isolation

Turning pro at 10 or 11 sounds insane — until you realize it’s happening all the time. Murphy shares how junior players are being scouted, moved across the world, and signed by agents before they even hit puberty. And when they don’t “make it,” the emotional fallout is brutal.

Recreational Tennis: Not Exactly Zen

Think tennis at the local club is drama-free? Think again. Murphy argues that the mental strain at the recreational level can actually be worse, because ego, identity, and community all get tangled into something as small as a Tuesday night lineup.

The Human Condition on Court

Whether you’re on center court at Wimbledon or a public park in Austin, losing still stings. Murphy talks about how defeat triggers real emotional reactions — not just frustration, but shame, anxiety, and even depression. From car ride silence to post-match reflection, tennis mirrors life.

Mental Health and Substance Use in Sport

Murphy opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery — and how WEconnect Health Management, the healthcare tech company he co-founded, helps others navigate similar challenges through digital tools, coaching, and community.

Why Tennis Can Still Heal

Despite the challenges, tennis remains a powerful outlet for millions — a space for release, growth, and connection. But it’s only as healthy as the mindset we bring to it.

🧠 Memorable Quotes & Concepts You’ll Hear

“My ego has never been my amigo.”
“You can be up 6–0, 5–0... and still lose.”
“The ride home after a win is way different than after a loss.”
“Treat triumph and disaster the same — if you can.”
“You don’t need to reinvent the sport. You just need a safe place to land.”

👀 Who Should Listen?

Recreational players trying to understand why a 3.5 match can mess with their head
Coaches working with juniors or adults and seeing the emotional side of the game
Tennis parents wondering what the long road to “pro” really looks like
Anyone in recovery or working in wellness and looking for stories that resonate
Players at any level who’ve ever had a rough car ride home after a loss

🎯 Why This Conversation Matters

Mental health isn’t just a pro-level issue — and it’s not just about anxiety or panic attacks. It’s about how we process pressure, failure, identity, and success. Whether you're chasing a title or just trying to win a Thursday league match, this episode will hit close to home.

Tennis can be healing. It can also be harmful. The difference is what kind of support systems we build around it.

🎧 Listen now to hear real talk from people who’ve lived it — and who are working to make tennis a better, healthier space for everyone who picks up a racket.

On this episode of 10 Minutes of Tennis, Shaun and Justin talk to Murphy Jensen about mental health.

For more 10 Minutes of Tennis episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKLIP3Zrp28TLg1nCs4E-2PzkRcjyePEM

YouTube Replay

Shaun Boyce USPTA: [email protected]

https://tennisforchildren.com/

Justin Yeo: https://www.instagram.com/yeocoach/

Bobby Schindler USPTA: [email protected]

https://windermerecommunity.net/

Geovanna Boyce: [email protected]

https://regeovinate.com/

This podcast is powered by GoTennis! Atlanta: Membership has its privileges

https://letsgotennis.com/