Filipe Toledo explains his decision to leave the World Surfing Tour: ‘I deserve to take care of myself’

Experienced, two-time world surfing champion and qualified for the Paris Olympics, Filipe Toledo took an unusual stance this season. In February, he claimed to want to take care of his mental health and decided to abandon the world circuit and the chance of the tri. In an interview with “Globo”, the surfer highlighted this idea and highlighted family as a preponderant factor.

– Man, I actually didn’t get depressed. But 2019 and 2020 were the two worst years I had as a professional. And then I managed to get back on my feet, have that spark and came back. It was necessary to be able to surf, do what I know, which is compete, deliver my best, sacrifice myself for surfing. But this year I put my hand on my conscience. I’ve been doing this for 11 years, I have two world titles. And I have a family, my children, my wife and my parents. So why not stop? -she explained before adding.

– It was a decision before something worse started. I deserve. After everything I’ve achieved, been through, I deserve this time, I deserve to take care of myself, to be happy. Surfing ends up taking that away from us. The essence of calm, relaxed and fun surfing comes out, obligations, schedules come in, you have to do everything right. It was the opportunity to have a break, recharge and come back stronger, she said.

WSL supported Filipe Toledo

The WSL also commented, at the time, on Filipe’s withdrawal, supporting the surfer. The circuit organization guaranteed that the athlete already has his place in the 2025 elite guaranteed via the “wildcard”.

– We support Filipe’s decision to prioritize his mental and physical health as he takes a step back. We hope this gives him the space he needs to recover and we hope to see him back among the best in 2025 – said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL Head of Sport.

Meanwhile, Filipe Toledo wishes a good year of competitions for his circuit colleagues and stated that he hopes that Brazilian favoritism in the WSL remains.