Robin Soderling was at the peak of his prowess when the walls started crumbling.
In 2009, when Soderling was just 24, he stunned the four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal en route to the final of the French Open.
Soderling reached the final again in 2010, losing to Nadal. By the end of the season, Soderling was ranked No. 4 in the world.
Eight months later, he played his final match on the ATP Tour.
“I always felt like I was under pressure,” Soderling, now 37, said on a video call from his home near Stockholm.