Naomi Osaka: The Player Who Brought Mental Health to Court
- Yukta Shah
- Jun 23, 2022
- 3 min read
Our world has struggled for centuries to achieve acceptance for mental health. Even now, we continue to strive for further understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. There are those who choose to deny its existence, but also those who choose to display their connection with mental health in a vulnerable state, allowing others to be inspired and further accept mental health concerns.
Over the past few years, their have been several celebrities who have spoken up to the public about their personal mental health illnesses. It is extremely honorable when a celebrity uses their pedestal, the high position of influence they have, to spread mental health awareness. With mental health being a very touchy subject, speaking out about one’s own connection with it takes a lot of courage. Today we are going to focus on an athlete who chose to discuss their own journey with mental health.
Naomi Osaka is a 24 year old female tennis player. Osaka has lasted at the top of WTA rankings for a total of 25 weeks. Osaka was born in Japan and moved to New York at the age of three. Inspired by the Williams, Osaka’s father then taught his daughters how to play tennis. Osaka became very involved with tennis and even pursued her professional tennis career.
Everyone was astonished by the new emerging superstar, Osaka, when she won the US Women’s Open in 2018 in a tense battle with Serena Williams. Osaka expressed the bitter-sweetness she felt by winning the match against her idol. Osaka then continued to win title after title, winning the 2019 Australian Open, and even championed the US Open a second time in 2020. In 2021, Osaka was expected to play in the French Open, by that point she had already won two Grand Slam titles.
Unfortunately, fans were disappointed to hear that Osaka withdrew from the 2021 French Open. In May of 2021, Osaka tweeted a heartfelt message to her fans stating that she left the French Open to care for her mental health after battling with her depression for a long time. Many of her fans supported her through this break from tennis. However, Osaka also unfortunately faced backlash from others for deciding to withdraw.
In the French Open there are certain mandatory media interactions that each player has to participate in. When Osaka skipped these media obligations in concern of her mental health, she was not only fined, but also threatened to face harsher sanctions. This harsh punishment for not attending a few interviews was one of the main factors that led Osaka to withdraw from the 2021 French Open. The pressure of having to maintain a good game, put on the best face she could, talk to the media about her life, and also struggle with anxiety and depression finally cracked her, as it would effect any other player out there.
Many do not believe that mental health is something you truly need to care for. Since mental illnesses are not as “concrete” as physical ailments, some people are completely ignorant towards them. It is a huge and courageous step for someone as important as Osaka to use their platform and take a stand for mental health. By giving importance to her own mental health, Osaka is raising mental health awareness with her fanbase of millions.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/naomi-osaka-french-open-how-to-say-no-work-mental-health/100181460.
I cannot emphasize how important it is for people with platforms and large fan bases like Osaka to take a stand and help raise awareness for global issues such as mental health. Osaka and other celebrities that chose to speak for mental health concerns have inspired hundreds of thousands of people to take a stand for mental health. It is also important to keep in mind that all of us should do our part in raising mental health awareness. We must all continue to take a stand, spread the message, and raise awareness no matter who we are or how big our “fan base” is. You never know what one conversation, tweet, message, or post can do.
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