Osaka’s Mental Health Discussion Resonates At French Open
May 26, 2022, 12:22 PM
Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after losing against Amanda Anisimova of USA during the Women's Singles First Round match on Day 2 of The 2022 French Open at Roland Garros on May 23, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka’s 2022 French Open is over following a first-round loss. The players remaining in the tournament see and hear products of her frank discussion about anxiety and depression a year ago.
Changes at Roland Garros include new “quiet rooms” and three on-call psychiatrists.
There also is a broader sense that mental health is a far-less-taboo topic than it once was.
.@naomiosaka: pic.twitter.com/t5FY0vTKEa
— ESPN (@espn) May 26, 2022
Several professional tennis players credit Osaka with helping bring the subject out of the shadows for their sport and helping foster more awareness and concern.
As a four-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player, Osaka’s decisions to withdraw from Roland Garros last year and explain her reasons for it resonated.
