Nicolas Jarry (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
LONDON - As Wimbledon begins, Nicolás Jarry is navigating far more than just forehands and backhands. The Chilean, a former world No. 16 and 2024 Rome Masters finalist, has been battling a rare and persistent medical condition that has upended his career and daily life: vestibular neuritis.
Now ranked No. 144 and with a 6-13 record in 2025, Jarry says his current place in the rankings doesn’t tell the whole story.
“Well, I missed last year," said Jarry in an interview with RG Media and CLAY. "I only have this half-season — just what I’ve played this year. I wasn’t able to compete during the second half of last season. I don’t see it as a bad spell. I lost to Dimitrov twice, to Cerúndolo, to Fils at Roland Garros, and to Opelka last week. I’m not playing badly. I don’t consider it a bad moment.”
A New Set of Challenges
In recent months, Jarry has discovered that the inflammation caused by vestibular neuritis has affected his vision as well. “I’m realising now that the inflammation has really affected how my eyes function. I still get dizzy easily, but the impact on my vision is something new.”
He’ll soon consult with an ocular vestibular specialist to evaluate the damage.
Jarry admits the mental adjustment has been just as challenging as the physical recovery. “I’ve had to work hard on accepting what this has meant for both my tennis and personal life — the vision issues, the dizziness, the loss of motor control. I’m someone who likes doing things properly and wants to be at the top of the game. Not being there yet is a challenge in itself. I’ve also had to work on accepting my ranking. But there’s been a lot of positives — like learning to appreciate what I do have. I hold on tightly to that, and to the fact that I’m at peace knowing I’m giving everything I’ve got. That’s more important than results.”
Even so, he doesn’t feel his ranking reflects his current level. “Yes, more than ever. The top 200 players are playing incredibly well — it’s not like 10 years ago. The level in Challengers is brutal. Everyone hits the ball so well. Experience and maturity are playing a big role now. And injuries are a real issue too. With the one-year ranking system, if you get injured during the part of the year when you did well the previous season, you’re going to drop hard. You just have to fight even harder.”
Motivation, Family and Perspective
Despite these challenges, Jarry remains deeply motivated. “My motivation is sky-high, really. After everything that happened last year, it feels like I’m starting fresh. I’m full of energy and focused on doing what I feel is right for me — not what others tell me to do. I’m driven by the belief in what I can still achieve if I truly back myself. Trusting in my abilities is what I need most right now.”
He also credits his support system. “Very happy. I feel secure and proud of my team, my family, and everything I have in my life right now. I love feeling that I’m doing things the right way, so I wake up happy every day.”
A big part of that happiness comes from traveling with his family.
“I’m very lucky to have my wife and children with me when I travel for work. It’s an investment I’ll always make. My family is my top priority, and they help me immensely with the mental challenges every pro tennis player has to manage.”
When asked if that will change once his eldest son Juan begins school, Jarry said simply, “That’s something private.”
For now, his children are simply enjoying the ride. “They’re still too young. Juan is three, and Santiago isn’t even two yet. They don’t understand who I am. I’m just their dad — and that’s all I ever want to be for them.”
They’re already swinging racquets around. “Yes, they love it.”
And what lesson does he want to pass on to them? “The same as any parent would: to follow their heart, to be brave enough to pursue what they love, and to get to know themselves deeply.”
At Wimbledon, Jarry came through qualifying at Roehampton without dropping a set. He now faces eighth seed Holger Rune in the first round. Regardless of the result, Jarry’s biggest victories may still be the ones happening off the court.
Sebastián Varela
Journalist. Founder of CLAY, a global tennis media platform. Since 2012, Sebastián has covered multiple international events for various sports outlets, including the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Tennis is his specialty, and his yearly calendar is built around four essential stops: the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. His love of travel has also shaped his work beyond sports, inspiring travel chronicles from unique journeys — like crossing the Australian desert in a van or exploring a tourist-free Japan during the pandemic — published in travel magazines.
