There has long been a question about the mental health of top athletes and whether or not society pushes them too hard. From the youngest superstars - such as preteen gymnasts and figure skaters to slightly older but still barely adult tennis players - spectators often cycle between awe and worry for these top young athletes.

A prime example of the struggle that leading sports figures can undergo is Naomi Osaka.  Initially hailed for her incredible performances at major tournaments, Osaka stunned the world by backing out of the French Open in 2021, citing mental health issues.

Naomi Osaka, a Picture of Athleticism and Mental Fortitude

Tennis has never been so exciting

Thanks to Osaka and several other young stars like her, there has never been a better time to be a tennis fan. With the athletes becoming stronger and more fit every year, the sport is constantly pushing the limits of human capability. It’s simpler than ever to follow the sport and you can even try your hand with betting on a favorite athlete. Check out the latest odds and schedules online and see what you can find.

Early life and career start

Osaka is a native of Japan and of mixed race. With a Japanese mother and Haitian father, she presented an exotic and fascinating picture to the tennis world, even before she stepped on the court.

Having moved to the US at the age of 15, Osaka quickly indicated her prowess and started entering major tournaments while still a teenager. She stunned the world by winning multiple Grand Slam titles and reaching the Number 1 ranking in 2019 at the age of 22.

What happened at the French Open?

Appearing poised to sweep yet another Grand Slam in 2021, Osaka stunned the world by abruptly withdrawing from her second round of competition at that year's French Open. Initially bewildering the crowds with her decision, Osaka later admitted to having experienced “huge waves of anxiety” before making media appearances. Following her withdrawal, she refused to speak to the media, and was fined $15,000 as a result. This rarely-enforced rule illustrates the importance that the tennis world places upon media in the sport.

Osaka later admitted that she had been struggling with mental health issues for some time. She said that the pressure of winning, and the disappointment she causes in others when she loses has contributed to multiple bouts of severe depression. She also admitted to suffering from post-partum depression following the birth of her child. 

Public advocacy for mental health

Following her initial meltdown in 2021, Osaka has made herself into a public advocate for mental health issues. The incident coincided with Simone Biles’ mental health incident at the 2021 Olympics, and both athletes simultaneously stepped forward to put mental health issues in the spotlight of top-level sports and reduce the stigma associated with it. Among the concrete steps Okaka has taken to bring this issue to the forefront are the following:

  • She has partnered with Modern Health, which is a mental health resources company, and now acts as their lead community health advocate. The organization’s goal is to support organizations that provide training to black mental health caregivers.

  • She has created her own foundation, The Naomi Osaka Foundation, which provides mental health services and educational programs for youth. The foundation aims to provide early intervention and a holistic program of mental health education.

Is she still competing?

Osaka went on maternity leave in 2023 to give birth to her daughter, Shai. In 2024, she returned to competition, and has since competed in several major tournaments including the French and Australian Opens, Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics, and other major tournaments. Although her success since returning to the competitive court has been mixed, she did score a victory at the Saint-Malo WTA this year, and she also reached the final at this year’s Auckland Open.

Impact on society and the tennis world

Despite all of her struggles, Osaka has succeeded not only in returning to the court, but in bringing mental health issues to the attention of society and the pro tennis world specifically. Along with Biles and other athletes, she has helped to reduce the stigma once associated with athletes’ mental health struggles and encourage those suffering to seek help.

Osaka has also helped bring about practical changes. Because of the scandal surrounding her French Open media issue, the tournament’s organizers have officially changed the rules surrounding post-match press conferences. In addition to her sports-related activism, Osaka has also publicly supported Black Lives matter, and has spoken out on other social issues.

Leading the way for others

As a result of her ongoing efforts, Osaka has inspired new generations of young tennis players to pursue the sport in a healthy and balanced manner and joined the list of inspirations, like the ones we got from the Olympics. She has also served as a role model for non-athletes who suffer from societal oppression for other reasons. Thanks to her, many others will hopefully be able to experience sports - and life in general - in a way that emphasizes healthy experience over the idea of winning at all costs.

 

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