Naomi Osaka is getting a lot of support from some of her famous fans and fellow athletes. The tennis star announced on Monday that she would not be competing in the French Open, and candidly opened up about her struggles with depression and social anxiety.
“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,” Osaka shared in a statement posted to social media. Osaka previously made headlines last Wednesday when she announced she would not be participating in press conferences at the French Open, which began on Sunday. She wrote at the time that she believed the practice to be harmful to athletes’ mental health.
Osaka wrote on Monday that she’s always dealt with social anxiety, which is often exacerbated in situations like press conferences. She explained that she was already feeling “vulnerable and anxious,” and viewed skipping press conferences as an act of “self-care.”
In response to her announcement to not compete, many athletes took to social media to address her remarks and support her in her efforts to prioritize her emotional and mental wellbeing.
“I am so sad about Naomi Osaka,” legendary tennis icon Martina Navratilova tweeted. “I truly hope she will be ok. As athletes we are taught to take care of our body, and perhaps the mental & emotional aspect gets short shrift. This is about more than doing or not doing a press conference. Good luck Naomi- we are all pulling for you!”
Billie Jean King, a 39 Grand Slam winner and icon of the sport, wrote that it is “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,” King continued. “We wish her well.”
Meanwhile, Serena Williams — who is competing in this year’s French Open — addressed the news at a post-match press conference following her round-one victory, telling reporters, “I feel for Naomi.”
“Not everyone is the same. I’m thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently,” Williams said, according to the Associated Press. “You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to and the best way she thinks she can. That’s the only thing I can say: I think she is doing the best she can.”
Athletes from other sports have also voiced their support for Osaka’s candid statement and mental health journey, including NFL star Russell Wilson, who retweeted Osaka’s statement and wrote, “We are with you
Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez also commended Osaka for speaking up, tweeting, “Even though it shouldn’t have to be like this, I’m proud of you for putting your foot down. Your mental health matters and should always come first.”
Here’s a look at some of the outpouring of support that has come following Osaka’s statement.
