‘Didn’t Talk About Being Gay’- Chris Evert’s Blunt Admission on How Naomi Osaka Changed the ‘Taboo’ Narrative in Tennis

In recent years, athletes, particularly tennis players, have become more open with regard to their mental health and well-being. Courtesy? Players like Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams. However, this was not always the case. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, such issues were not an event, let alone acknowledged. How has time changed? And What does, veteran tennis legend, Chris Evert, have to say about it?

During the 1960s and 70s, when players like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova dominated the tennis circuit, many issues were unspoken and unacknowledged. However, with the change in times, many such issues are brought to public attention by a few of the most influential players. 

Chris Evert opens up about the 1960s and 70s taboo

Recently during an interview with PBS NewsHour, the 18-time Grand Slam champion was asked, whether she freely addressed mental health issues during her playing days. Evert replied with a thoughtful response. “Conversation Around mental health- protecting their own privacy, all these kind of things, do you ever look at that and say, ‘ I wish I’d had that,'” she said.

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Further elaborating on it, she added, “I grew up in the ’60s, played in the ’70s. They were taboo subjects. You didn’t talk about it. You didn’t talk about being Gay. And you didn’t talk about controversial subjects at all.”

However, the American tennis legend was proud of the changes and how society evolved. “That was the way society was, the culture was, here in America, maybe here in the world. But now women are just owning themselves and they are empowering themselves. And we’re reaching more and more equality with men.”

The 18-time Grand Slam champion appreciated the contribution of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and others in evolving American culture; making it more inclusive and supportive. 

When Osaka walked out of French Open 2021 due to mental health

During her first-round match, the 4-time Grand Slam champion walked out of a mandatory press conference at the French Open 2021. However, what surprised tennis fans was the cause. Osaka had been suffering from bouts of depression since 2018; hence citing personal well-being, the charismatic tennis star walked out of French Open itself, after a high-stakes standoff with officials. 

Consequently, given the magnetic personality of Osaka, support started pouring in from all around the globe. And this action of the Japanese tennis star made her an inspiration for people to put their mental well-being first.

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Don’t you think Chris Evert is right in her shoutout to Osaka’s bravery? Do let us know in the comments.