Breakout Tennis star Naomi Osaka shocked the sports world when she announced that she would be leaving this year’s French Open amid fines and mental health care.
On Monday, Osaka posted to Twitter a message with her intention to leave the Grand Slam tournament. The announcement follows Osaka receiving a $15,000 fine for not speaking with the press at its daily conference; which she stated was to protect her mental health.
“The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety,” Osaka revealed.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021
Three years later and Williams wishes she could hug the 23 year-old again. “I feel for Naomi,” Williams told reporters Monday in Paris. “I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like. I’ve been in those positions.”
It’s incredibly brave that Naomi Osaka has revealed her truth about her struggle with depression.
Right now, the important thing is that we give her the space and time she needs.
We wish her well.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 31, 2021
Williams and Jean was not the only athlete to speak out. Osaka words rippled beyond the tennis court and reverberated across all sports and received support from many different athletes.
Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry said he had “major respect” for Osaka and thought it was “damn impressive taking the high road.”
You shouldnt ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own. major respect @naomiosaka https://t.co/OcRd95MqCn
Another basketball player, Cleveland’s Cavaliers forward Kevin Love also showed his support by sending out a tweet stating he was sending “love, respect and positive energy” her way.
Love, respect, and positive energy your way @naomiosaka 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/2PvbO7AjFo
“Lets all make sure Naomi knows she’s not alone.” Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton proclaimed on twitter. “Today is a good day to check and ask your friends and loved ones how the are doing,” the tweet continued.
Mental health is not a joke, this is real and serious. This takes a lot of courage to do. Let’s all make sure Naomi knows she’s not alone. Today is a good day to check and ask your friends and loved ones how they are doing and let them know they are not alone. https://t.co/2ytC6k1hHd
Osaka’s support didn’t end with just athletes.
Beyonce’s BeyGood tweeted out their support for Osaka stating they “salute the courage and strenght of Naomi Osaka to choose Health.”
We salute the courage and strength of Naomi Osaka to choose Health. @naomiosaka #BeyGOOD pic.twitter.com/FDXbDVxa9G
CNN host W. Kamau Bell’s tweet calls out societies role in stigmatizing mental health. “The weird thing isn’t that Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open to take care of her mental health. The weird thing is that we have a society that even after 2020 still makes it weird when someone wants to take care of their mental health.
The weird thing isn’t that Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open to take care of her mental health. The weird thing is that we have a society that even after 2020 still makes it weird when someone wants to take care of their mental health.
For their part, the Grand Slam organizers pledged to support Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open on Tuesday. That is a different tone from the organizations approach on Sunday when they fined the athlete $15,000 for not participating in press conferences and released a troll-like tweet -before deleting it- against Osaka.
ICYMI: The official Roland Garros Twitter account posted a photo of other athletes participating in their media responsibilities on Saturday with the caption, “They understood the assignment.” pic.twitter.com/7NGxJwoze7
“On behalf of the grand slams, we wish to offer Naomi Osaka our support and assistance in any way possible as she takes time away from the court,” read from the official Wimbledon statement. “She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate.
