via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Naomi Osaka of Japan looks dejected during her match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the third round of the women’s singles at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Naomi Osaka of Japan looks dejected during her match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the third round of the women’s singles at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka had a great start to the 2021 season. She won the Australian Open 2021, defeating Serena Williams in the semi-final, in what seemed like a landmark moment for Naomi.
However, the rest of the season did not go as Osaka would have planned it. During the French Open, she revealed that she was struggling with mental health issues and would boycott post-match media commitments. This drew mixed reactions from the tennis fraternity, and she had to face criticism for the same. Since then, she has been a vocal advocate of the importance of mental health.
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Recently, Global mental health expert Professor Ross D White spoke on this sensitive issue and praised the Japanese star. This is a problem many athletes have faced, and are increasingly talking about the topic in open.
He stated, “Naomi Osaka and her withdrawing from the French open around media commitments and wanting to safeguard her mental health and well-being. I hope that people will have a willingness and a courageous willingness to have those conversations and be open.”
Naomi Osaka’s tennis season
After withdrawing from Roland Garros, Osaka was not seen on tennis courts until the Tokyo Olympics. She had decided to take a break to focus on her mental well-being, a courageous decision in a professional sports environment.
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During the course, she missed the Wimbledon Championships. At the Olympics, she was unable to go deep and lost during the initial rounds.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 3, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Leylah Fernandez of Canada, right, shakes hands with Naomi Osaka Osaka of Japan after a third round match on day five of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
She was last seen at the US Open. Sadly, she failed to defend her title and bowed out of the event against teenager Leylah Fernandez.
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Naomi has not been seen on a court since then, as she felt that she needed a break from the game. We hope that Osaka will have come back stronger and just as brave in the 2022 season. All eyes will be on her when she steps on the courts the next time.
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