When tennis star Naomi Osaka announced prior to the French Open that she’d be declining to participate in all required media sessions during the tournament due to the stress and anxiety it caused her, the move was initially met with mixed messages. Some, including tournament officials, took the point of view that the Japanese-American Osaka was shirking her responsibility as a professional athlete. Her media sessions were viewed as a way for her to connect with the tennis public that ultimately pays her salary. French Open officials even vowed to fine Osaka for each media appearance since missed.
“Naomi Osaka” by SkySports is licensed under CC BY 3.0
However, mental health professionals were quick to take up the battle in support of Osaka, citing her decision to pass on regular media sessions as opening a window into the stresses placed on those who are constantly in the public spotlight.
Osaka is one of the top tennis players in the world. She’s been ranked No. 1 in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association and is a four-time Grand Slam winner. Osaka is the reigning champion at both the Australian and US Opens. Whenever Osaka enters a tennis tournament, the best sports betting sites always list her among the top contenders to win the title.
That doesn’t mean that Osaka is above feeling the pressures of her status as an elite tennis pro. She admitted to fits of anxiety prior to media sessions following matches and Osaka, 23, also acknowledged that she’s battled depression since she was a teenager.
“I communicated that I wanted to skip press conferences at Roland Garros to exercise self-care and preservation of my mental health,” Osaka wrote in a first-person article published by Time Magazine. “I stand by that.
“Athletes are humans. Tennis is our privileged profession, and of course there are commitments off the court that coincide. But I can’t imagine another profession where a consistent attendance record (I have missed one press conference in my seven years on tour) would be so harshly scrutinized.”
“Naomi Osaka” by Matthew Stockman/Getty is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Plenty Of Support For Osaka
Those who exist under the glare of the spotlight, such as athletes and other celebrities, were quick to step up to not only offer support to Osaka, but also to credit her decision as perhaps opening a path to enable others feeling this stress to also take steps to benefit their own mental health and well-being.
“Michael Phelps told me that by speaking up I may have saved a life,” Osaka wrote. “If that’s true, then it was all worth it.”
Phelps, the greatest swimmer in history, a winner of 23 Olympic medals, also has acknowledged his own difficult battles with depression. Initially, Phelps was taken aback by the vitriol directed toward Osaka.
“I was almost shocked in a way,” Phelps told Time, “especially with everything I feel like the world has learned about mental health over the last year.”
As he saw the tide turn toward support for Osaka, Phelps breathed easier. “That does bring a smile to my face,” he said. “Because yes, then we are understanding that this is something that, it doesn’t matter if you’re number one in the world or the average Joe, anybody can go through this. It is real. I hope this is the breaking point of really being able to open up and save more lives.”
Others who have reached out to offer their support to Osaka include former First Lady Michelle Obama, tennis star Novak Djokovic, Royal Family member Meghan Markle and NBA star Stephen Curry.
Changing The Discussion
That Osaka was willing to put her mental health ahead of a chance to win Grand Slam titles – she also opted out of Wimbledon – spoke louder than any words she could say.
“It’s groundbreaking,” said Lisa Bonta Sumii. She’s a therapist with Galea Health, a company that connects athletes with mental health providers. “(Osaka) has prioritized mental health, and has said so. And that’s a great example.”
Osaka believes that sporting organizations need to recognize that there are athletes who struggle with the obligations placed upon their shoulders and more must be done to help them through these difficult times.
“There can be moments for any of us where we are dealing with issues behind the scenes,” Osaka said. “Each of us as humans is going through something on some level.”
