Naomi Osaka is one of the best tennis players in the world. She is considered to be the highest paid female athlete ever. None of this helps her health. She withdraws from the French Open and makes her depression public. And it could actually make a difference.
At first there was only a small message: Naomi Osaka will boycott the media at the French Open. In the end it is a huge topic: the two-time US Open and Australian Open winner withdraws from the tournament in Paris. The tennis star makes her depression public. In unsparing words that reveal her vulnerability, she writes about her insides on Instagram.
Only now is there much understanding, even more compassion, expressions of support, and concern. Only now has the harsh criticism of the 23-year-old largely fallen silent: Those who want a lot of fame, honor and money cannot criticize the media that made them great. Media work is part of the job, not just the nice game. A superstar with multi-million dollar contracts also has to go through that.
And of course it is partly like that. Journalists are part of it, they have to be able to ask questions, they are not friends and petitioners of the athletes. It would be too short-sighted to refer to the PR power of one’s social networks. But the organizers in Paris have made it too easy for themselves. Osaka had received a fine of 15,000 dollars from the world association for refusing to attend the press conference to which it is contractually obliged. The president of the organizing French tennis federation, Gilles Morretton, spoke in the “L’Équipe” of a “gigantic mistake” Osaka. You hurt the sport of tennis. He said nothing about any psychological injuries Osaka had.
The Japanese had justified her boycott. The tennis star thinks that too often questions are asked that raise doubts among the athletes. This leads to the fact that “people are gutted, and I do not understand the reason behind it,” she wrote on Instagram. Later she even apologized for the excitement about her person: “My concern is directed against the system that obliges athletes who are currently struggling with their mental health to comply with media inquiries.”
“Suffered from long periods of depression”
It wasn’t enough. Also that the players’ association of the ladies tour WTA published a statement about mental health and Osaka offered a conversation, it was not enough. Osaka missed the media round after their first round win on Sunday against Romanian Patricia Maria Tig (6: 4, 7: 6). She took the fine, she accepted the threat of disqualification. And this came first. “The best thing for the tournament, the other players and my own constitution is that I am stepping down from the tournament so that everyone can focus on tennis in Paris again.”
An idea that, of course, failed. Because Osaka also wrote, “The truth is, I’ve had long bouts of depression since the 2018 US Open and really struggled to cope with it. Everyone who knows me knows I’m an introvert; and everyone who knows me seen at tournaments, probably noticed that I was wearing headphones that help me mitigate my social anxiety. ”
She apologized to any offended journalists: “But I am not a born speaker and I feel great waves of fear before I speak to the world press. I am nervous and find it stressful to give the best possible answer.” She felt “vulnerable and fearful”. Therefore it was easier and better to avoid the press appointments and instead to preventively criticize the “outdated rules”.
“It was very brave of her”
Of course, tennis will continue to be played in Paris, even without the highest-earning female athlete in the world. But the sport has become a minor matter, Osaka’s revelation is the determining topic. “I really hope that she is well,” said Martina Navratilova, 18-time Grand Slam winner: “As athletes, we are taught to take care of our bodies, and maybe the mental aspect is neglected.” Osaka’s rival Serena Williams wished she could “hug” her. “Because I know what it is like. I was in a situation like this too.” World number one Novak Djokovic said: “I support her. It was very brave of her to do that. I am very sorry that she is going through such a difficult time and suffering psychologically.” He added: “If she needs time to reflect on things and recharge her batteries, then I have great respect for it. I hope that she will come back stronger.”
Coming back to a possibly slightly different tennis world. Which sounds difficult with all the commercialism that high-performance sport is about. But the four Grand Slam tournaments have announced “meaningful improvements”. “Mental health is a very challenging topic that deserves our greatest attention.” Osaka is praised for “sharing in her own words the pressures and fears she feels. We understand the unique pressures tennis players can be exposed to.”
It sounds nice. To be too good to be true. Because the organizer had really acted relentlessly. The pressure on Osaka increased despite the disclosure of their doubts about the system. It looked like a power struggle with the top athlete. With one who is tough and relentless in her game. But who is shy and introverted outside of the competition. This is noticeable in a world in which there is always woman against woman, always about winning, always carried out on a big stage.
After her meteoric rise, Osaka used it not so much for self-promotion, but for issues that are important to her. At the US Open 2020, she wore changing face-to-face masks with names of victims of police violence and racism in the United States. She became an ambassador for the “Black Lives matter” movement. To raise awareness with actions, not words, that is Osaka’s thing. Or was it before. Because now your words could contribute to the fact that in top-class sport the focus is more on people, not so much on the perfect advertising figure. This requires a sure instinct. From all sides.
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