Mental Timeout initiative supported by Beneva

Bianca Andreescu rose to prominence on the WTA Tour in 2019 when she captured three prestigious titles at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto, and the U.S. Open in New York, becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles titles after defeating Serena Williams in the championship final. Her remarkable season not only propelled her to No. 4 on the WTA rankings, but it also earned her the Northern Star Award which is presented annually to Canada’s top athlete.

She has been open about her own mental health journey with the hope that she can help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“I’d like to inspire the next generation to have a different perspective on mental health issues and learn that it’s okay to seek guidance or professional help in this area. It feels good to be open and honest with everyone about what I’m going through rather than internalizing all of it. I hope I can inspire others to do the same. Remember, at the end of the day, it is just a game, and we should all want to become the best versions of ourselves both on and off the court!”

Alexis Galarneau was a member of Team Canada when the squad won Canada’s first Davis Cup title in 2022 and he achieved a career-high ATP ranking of no. 155 in May of 2024. He made his ATP Masters 1000 debut at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal in 2022 and won the biggest title of his career at the Granby National Bank Challenger in 2023. Before turning pro, Galarneau played NCAA tennis at North Carolina State University.

“It is essential to be in a good mental state to be able to perform at our best! I believe that this initiative will encourage athletes to ask for the necessary help so that we all feel better equipped when facing a difficult moment or period. I hope to help young people realize that stress and anxiety are normal states of being, and I hope to communicate my own experiences in the best way possible and be an example for athletes!”

2024 was a standout season for Shaw. The B.C. native claimed seven ITF titles, including two in singles and five in doubles. His biggest victory of the year came in Geneva at the Swiss Open, where he captured the first ITF Series 1 title of his career. Shaw also represented Canada at the Paralympic Games in Paris, reaching the quarter-finals in singles.

Being on tour professionally opened Shaw’s eyes to the challenges that athletes face on a day-to-day basis and inspired him to become an ambassador of the Mental Timeout initiative.

“There is so much emphasis placed on skill development, strength and conditioning, that we often forget to take time to ensure that we are in a positive mental health space while training and competing. Athletes shouldn’t feel like they have to sacrifice their overall well-being and quality of life simply to achieve athletic goals. I hope to encourage more athletes to reach out for support when they need it. I also hope to educate athletes at all stages of development about the resources available to them. It’s my hope that by educating athletes and empowering them with options that they will feel comfortable addressing their mental health challenges before they become issues.”