‘I hit rock bottom’ – WTA ace lifts lid on mental struggles after nightmare 2019

Monica Puig has lifted the lid on her nightmare 2019 season, and the ‘dark moments’ that saw her struggle to even get herself out of bed.

The Puerto Rican lost more than half of her 44 matches in 2019, reaching only one semi-final during a relentlessly tough campaign.

She also lost her coach along the way, as Kamau Murray opted to rejoin Sloane Stephens’ team, which didn’t help her feeling of isolation.

However, in a hertfelt post on social media, Puig has said she is back on a positive path again, thanks largely to her new coach Phillipe Dehaes.

“Taking the time to reflect on this 2019 season definitely hurts because there has been so much struggle and tough moments,” Puig admitted on Instagram.

“Sometimes I didn’t know how I was going to manage to stay strong another day. I hit my ‘rock bottom’ and sometimes even getting out of bed was a challenge.

 

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Taking the time to reflect on this 2019 season definitely hurts because there has been so much struggle and tough moments, that sometimes I didn’t even know how I was going to manage to stay strong another day. I hit my “rock bottom” and sometimes even getting out of bed was a challenge. However, in my darkest of moments, a voice inside of me told me to keep going and to keep believing, because something good was waiting for me at the end of this pain and struggle, and for that I couldn’t be more proud of my courage and fight. Thankfully, I believe I reached the light at the end of the tunnel 5 weeks ago when I changed my team and was given a new beginning. The people who have surrounded me in these tough times have undoubtedly helped me rise from the ashes and dust myself off to keep going and reach for my dreams and I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my corner that have helped me get back on my feet again. While 2019 is a year I want to forget, I will be able to leave with one very important message and memory, and that is this… “There is always a light at the end of every tunnel for those who believe. Hard work, perseverance, kindness, and respect will ALWAYS be repaid sooner or later. While things sometimes seem to be going in a downward spiral, if you just hold on a little longer, if you endure a little more, if you keep fighting for your dreams, no matter what they are, they will happen because the more courageous you are, the more power you possess.” Thank you to my team — Marijn, Philippe, Claudio, Theo, my family, my friends, and my sponsors for their never ending support, patience, compassion, and dedication. I don’t know where I would be right now if it wasn’t for you all. Thank you a million times over. Another huge thank you to all the people who have supported me and cheered for me throughout the years. It’s because of you all that I can keep going. Simply, thank you. Now, its time to re-charge the batteries for the 2020 (Olympic) season. Although I cannot wait to get pre-season training started, rest and recovery is very important and some time off will do a world of good, so cheers to that. All my love, Monica ❤️

A post shared by Monica Puig (@monicaace93) on Oct 18, 2019 at 2:38pm PDT

“However, in my darkest of moments, a voice inside of me told me to keep going and to keep believing, because something good was waiting for me at the end of this pain and struggle, and for that I couldn’t be more proud of my courage and fight.”

“Thankfully, I believe I reached the light at the end of the tunnel 5 weeks ago when I changed my team and was given a new beginning,” Puig explained in a lengthy statement.

“The people who have surrounded me in these tough times have undoubtedly helped me rise from the ashes and dust myself off to keep going and reach for my dreams and I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my corner that have helped me get back on my feet again.”

Puig’s season of struggle has seen her drop 31 places in the WTA rankings since January.

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