Atmane issues apology after Almaty victory, citing mental health struggles
Terence Atmane beat Rinky Hijikata 7-6 (5), 6-2 in Almaty and afterward apologized for his recent conduct on court. The French player said he had been dealing with mental health problems and acknowledged that the criticism after Shanghai was justified. He added that he was disappointed in himself and hoped to begin anew.
Atmane, No. 98, defeated No. 86 Hijikata in their first meeting at the Almaty ATP 250. The result marked his first indoor ATP Tour victory, came in his debut event in Kazakhstan, and was one of only four tournaments left in his season. He next meets the Etcheverry-Bellucci winner.
In Shanghai qualifying this month, Atmane threw his racket toward the stands against Bernard Tomic; a side barrier stopped it before the front row, and he avoided default. He later retired while trailing 5-3 in the deciding set—his second retirement in under a week—after earlier stopping at 5-5 against Elias Ymer in Jingshan despite leading 5-3.
The apology could encourage more athletes to discuss mental health openly, potentially reducing stigma for players and fans who face similar pressure. It may also prompt tournaments and media to consider how criticism and online abuse affect competitors, especially younger or lower-ranked players. At the same time, observers may debate where accountability for on-court conduct ends and mental-health support begins.