Ex-athlete draws on own experience to promote better mental health for tennis players

Valérie Tétreault stepped away from competitive tennis when she was just 23 in part because she was struggling with her mental health.

Now that she's the tournament director for the National Bank Open, Canada's national championship, she is improving mental health supports for the country's tennis players.

Tennis Canada has recommitted to its Mental Timeout program for a second year, now with the support of Beneva, the largest mutual insurance company in the country. Tetreault said that part of her motivation to promote better mental health for tennis players was based on her own experience.

"Tennis is a pretty tough sport, and it can be a lonely sport, depending on your ranking and what's your financial situation," said Tétreault, who last played competitively in 2011. "I was a player who was ranked around No. 100, which meant that I couldn't necessarily afford to travel with a big team so most of the time I would travel by myself and that's not necessarily for everyone, especially when you're on the road for several weeks in a row."

Tétreault qualified for the U.S. Open in 2009 and the Australian Open the next year. She reached a career-high of 112th on the WTA Tour's singles ranking in February 2010 and No. 307 in doubles in April 2010. After her retirement she began working for Tennis Canada and was named the National Bank Open's tournament director this past October.

She said on Monday her experience as player has informed how she approaches her new role.

"If you go through a tough time, that means that you lose in the first round and then you go back to your hotel room and you're by yourself and that's where it's important to have a support system around you," said Tétreault. "It comes obviously from your immediate