‘We Must Not Be Allowed to Have Feelings’ – Naomi Osaka Narrates Her State of Mind During the Huge Backlash at French Open Last Year

24-Year-old Japanese Tennis Sensation Naomi Osaka is one of the best female tennis players going around. She has won four Grand Slams and is the highest-paid female athlete in the world. Although she surprised the world last year when she opted out of the French Open, citing depression and anxiety as the reason.

She has finally opened up about her decision to take a break from tennis. And spoke about the importance of mental health for athletes.

Want to Make Life a Bit Easier for People That Come Behind Me

When asked about the reason behind her break. The 24-year-old explained that the main reason was to protect herself from the depression and anxiety she was suffering from. But it was not the only reason behind her decision.

“The goal, of course, was to protect myself whether I knew it or not. ,” She said.

Osaka spoke about how athletes have a job so public in nature. They are usually asked not to comment on anything like the world or politics. An athlete is not entitled to have an opinion of his own. In a way, they are expected to go out there, perform, and then go back in.

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“I’ve been kind of watching athletes struggle for a while and I vividly remember, like, every time someone says something about the world or like politics, that you’d be told, like, you’re just a sports person…I feel like we must not be allowed to have feelings,” she added.

Naomi wants to set an example for the athletes of the future. She believes that whatever she does will make it easier for them.

Naomi Osaka Crashes Out of Madrid Open

The four-time grand slam winner crashed out of the ongoing Madrid Open. After a shocking 6-3 6-1 loss to Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. Osaka struggled for rhythm and was dominated by her Spanish opponent. This was her second career defeat against Sara. playing in her first clay event since the 2021 French open where she had withdrawn for mental health reasons after winning her first-round game.

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In the post-match conference, Osaka revealed she sustained an Achilles injury after her opening win against Anastasia Potapova. And that it limited her performance against the tireless Spaniard.

Naomi would not be happy with the way she fared in the game and will look to bounce back stronger.