What Happens After The Championship? The Silent Struggle In Pro Sports

After witnessing an athlete’s incredible win in a championship game, fans and sports analysts often assume that the athlete is basking in pure joy. However, the reality post-celebrations and media interviews can be less glamorous and psychologically challenging.

Wimbledon this past week served as a prime example of a Grand Slam title win that might seem to bring immense satisfaction and happiness to the champions. Yet, what many fail to realize is the months of preparation, endless hours of practice, and overwhelming pressure leading up to that defining moment. Following the victory, athletes often face a mental hurdle of “what now?” The emotional crash that follows a high-stakes success is a common yet often overlooked phenomenon in professional sports.

The Post-Competition Letdown: Why It Occurs

Ironically, winning on the global stage can leave athletes feeling adrift. Sports psychiatrists and psychologists often refer to this as “post-competition blues” or “post-Olympic blues.” This phenomenon entails athletes experiencing negative emotions and mental health issues post-Olympic games, marked by increased anxiety, depression, burnout, and challenges in readjusting to everyday life, as noted in the BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Journal. During this phase, athletes may battle anxiety, depression, burnout, and other obstacles. Athletes facing defeat and unmet expectations may encounter even more negative reactions.

For some elite athletes, the emotional crash following a win can be more intense than after a loss. In certain sports with infrequent competitions, athletes spend the year gearing up for a singular moment, pouring effort into training, making sacrifices, and shaping their identities around a goal. Achieving this goal can leave them grappling with a “what now?” sensation, causing significant destabilization.

“I completely agree—when you work tirelessly toward a goal and finally achieve it, there’s a moment of ‘what do I do now,'” shares Grand Slam tennis champion and humanitarian Sloane Stephens. She elaborates, “Some individuals’ lives undergo a complete transformation—you become a superstar, the media attention intensifies, and there’s a slew of off-court responsibilities that impact your on-court performance.” Stephens adds, “It’s incredibly challenging to navigate the dichotomy of experiencing the most incredible moment of your life while also needing to push yourself to excel further. That was my biggest struggle,” she reveals.

Stephens’ insights align with research showing that goal attainment can trigger a temporary loss of purpose. Following a grand slam victory, an NBA championship, or a Super Bowl win, the sudden halt in routine and purpose can leave athletes confronting a void. The abrupt disappearance of their structured, predictable routines can be emotionally destabilizing.

The Psychology And Physiology Of The Post-Competition Letdown

The mental and emotional downturn post-peak performance is not just psychological but also physiological. High-stress situations like competitions can push the body into states of hyperarousal, surging with cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine. Once the stressor, such as the Wimbledon championship, dissipates, dopamine levels plummet, and the nervous system must recalibrate.

Stephens shares her personal experience after her Grand Slam win:

“I was incredibly fatigued since I hadn’t played in almost a year. I had gone through so much that being away and traveling for six weeks left me utterly drained. Transitioning from such a high level and attempting to recreate that is challenging. In tennis, not everyone emerges victorious every week. There’s a constant need for regrouping and finding balance, learning new things each week.”

This cycle of intense buildup followed by emotional depletion isn’t exclusive to tennis. Basketball players endure it post-NBA championships, NFL players face it after the Super Bowl, and Olympians grapple with it following the Olympic games.

Another psychological aspect contributing to mental health challenges after winning is the external pressure and expectation to sustain success. Athletes often feel misunderstood by fans and the media, particularly during the post-victory blues. Stephens notes, “The pressure to keep winning is ever-present. Fans don’t always grasp the struggles behind continued success.”

Strategies To Overcome Post-Competition Blues

The encouraging news is that elite athletes and high-performers can adopt proactive measures to mitigate the risk of mental health disturbances post-competition. Developing self-awareness is a crucial skill in preempting the psychological aftermath of victory. Stephens emphasizes, “Recognizing when you’re in the ‘next tournament/next match’ mindset is vital. At times, you can lose sight of yourself. Over the years, I’ve learned how to prioritize self-care in these moments.” For Stephens, self-awareness has proven invaluable.

She employs a strategy known as the “5 minutes of fury,” allowing herself a brief window to express exactly how she’s feeling without a filter. This helps her to get things off her chest and move forward.

Another crucial step athletes can take is preparing for life after sports. Many athletes derive their entire identity and self-worth from their sport, making them more susceptible to feeling lost and destabilized upon retirement.

“I believe that athletes are so focused on their careers that they never consider what comes after,” Stephens explains. “Introducing players and athletes to potential interests or talents is a great way to help them discover what they’re passionate about—giving them a chance.” Stephens established the Sloane Stephens Foundation 12 years ago to offer mental health programs to underprivileged youth. This has provided her with a sense of purpose outside of tennis, strengthening her identity beyond being a tennis player. The foundation is being recognized at the ESPYs with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award for its efforts in promoting mental health equity in youth sports. Stephens’ journey serves as a great example of how athletes can find fulfillment and purpose beyond their sports to better navigate life transitions post-competition. It gives life meaning and purpose beyond the final match.

We Need To Redefine Winning

The discussion surrounding athlete mental health and well-being is evolving rapidly, yet there remains a lack of understanding about what comes after a victory. Winning can present its own set of psychological challenges, and there should be more support systems in place to assist athletes not only when they’re underperforming, but also when they’re exceeding expectations. This involves redefining winning, not just as the moment of triumph, but as the athlete’s ongoing well-being post-competition.