Naomi Osaka: "It's okay when you're not okay"
Naomi Osaka spoke up in an article for Time Magazine .
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jul 13, 2021, 04:24 pm
"Life is a journey," wrote Osaka. She recently took a somewhat unexpected route - but one that taught her a lot and helped her to grow.
Osaka had asked for a break from press conferences during the French Open and said that she had struggled with depression in recent years.
A lesson that she has learned in the past few weeks: You can't please everyone. Lesson two: Apparently everyone has had mental problems at some point - or knows someone who feels that way. The number of messages she received confirms that.
Osaka also made it clear that their waiver of press conferences is not directed against the press, but rather about the format of the press conference. "I love the press. But I don't like all press conferences." She has always had a great relationship with the media and given a wealth of in-depth one-on-one interviews. But press conferences can be made better and more interesting. "Less subject against object, more colleague to colleague." You never wanted to start a revolt, but rather critically question what could be done better.
Osaka: "If that's true, it was all worth it"
She felt under great pressure to make her symptoms public, "to be honest, because the press and tournaments did not believe me." She has several wishes, but above all that to be able to allow herself a few "sick days" in the year when one is exempt from press obligations without revealing the personal reasons. "I think that would put the sport on a par with the rest of the world."
Osaka also thanked everyone who would have supported her, including Michelle Obama, Michael Phelps, Steph Curry, Novak Djokovic, Meghan Markle.
You have now had time to reflect on something, but also to look ahead. She doesn't seek the spotlight, "I always try to get myself to stand up and say what's right, often with a great sense of trepidation." She doesn't feel comfortable being the spokesperson or the face of athletes with mental problems because it's new to them and they don't have all the answers. "I hope people can understand that it's okay when you're not okay. And it's okay to talk about it. There are people who can help, there is usually a light at the end of the tunnel."
Michael Phelps told her that she might have saved a life by raising awareness on the subject. "If that's true, it was all worth it."
You can read the entire article by Naomi Osaka here!