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Joe Salisbury, the British doubles player who has won multiple Grand Slam titles, has confirmed that he is taking a lengthy break from tennis. His decision was brought on by his ongoing battle with anxiety, which has left him with physical symptoms and an unshakeable feeling of 'dread'. Salisbury told BBC Sport that he was not planning on returning until at least April, having decided to step away from the sport during the Asian swing.
"I've had heart palpitations, a feeling of your heart beating all around your body," he explained. "You feel like your body is almost a bit shaky, almost like your whole body is vibrating a little bit. It's been tough to deal with at times and it's made me not want to be playing and competing at times throughout the year.
"It's definitely a lot in the stomach, you feel sick to your stomach. I've been struggling to sleep and then, because of the feeling in the stomach, struggling to eat well, eat enough. It's almost like a feeling of dread, that something bad is going to happen."
Salisbury added that while he has had therapy in an effort to deal with his anxiety, he feels an extended break from tennis is the right decision.
He has plenty of plans in place, including a safari in Kenya and a skiing trip with his girlfriend's family. He will also spend Christmas at home, which is a luxury not always enjoyed by elite tennis players.
Salisbury partnered with Neal Skupski for much of this year and they were runners-up at six events including the French Open, US Open and last week's ATP Finals.
"I wouldn't say it affected my tennis that much," he said of his anxiety. "We've played well, especially the past six months.
"I feel like I've dealt with it well and managed to get myself into a good enough state on court to perform well in most of the matches that I have played.
"But I think it's taken an extra toll emotionally and mentally to do that. It's meant that it's just not been enjoyable being at a lot of the tournaments that I have played.
"I haven't spoken to too many people about the struggles that I have had - mainly my team, friends and family, so not too many people in the tennis world.
"I think a lot of people don't want to share too much because they don't want other people to know about that, when you are having to go and compete against them, but to be honest I don't really mind if people do know.
"I'm sure it's something which a lot of other people are having to deal with and I don't think it would have any impact on me, as if anything over the past year it's made me mentally stronger than before."