“Thank you Naomi. We really appreciate you taking our questions – especially after the loss.” The Italian tennis journalist Ubaldo Scanagatta, of whom various amusing YouTube videos of press conferences with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are haunting the World Wide Web, expressed his respect for Naomi Osaka.
So the four-time Grand Slam triumphant who made the topic of “mental health” a great cause at the French Open a year ago. At that time, the 24-year-old had fled Paris before her second round appearance and made depression public. The sensitive and introverted Japanese had previously been threatened with consequences, up to and including exclusion from the tournament, for skipping a press conference.
“I found a way”
Yesterday the world number 38 dived. in the packed Room 1 of the Media Center, Osaka appeared relaxed despite not being 100% fit with Achilles tendon and ankle problems and having just lost 5-7, 4-6 to Amanda Anisimova (USA). The defeated Asian tried to bite through with painkillers.
“I’m a little disappointed, but I gave it my all,” Osaka said. Most of the questions revolved around the events of the previous year. “In retrospect, I don’t like how I resolved the situation at the time,” she admitted. Despite this, Osaka had been a pioneer in breaking the taboo on depression by going on the offensive for other athletes. For example for the exceptional gymnast Simone Biles or for tennis colleague Bianca Andreescu.
At the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, fellow sufferers approached Osaka and thanked her. “I think all athletes go through the same things. It’s just not all talked about.” Here in Roland Garros, the impact of the mental health debate is clearly being felt. Reporters no longer have access to the Jean Bouin training ground, and otherwise contacts with the top athletes are kept to a minimum – attending matches, press conferences, the end of the grounds.
“Everyone – ITF, WTA and tournament organizers – is trying their best, something has happened since 2021. But you can’t stop, there always has to be a development,” said Osaka about the current situation. Insults in social networks in particular had hit her massively in the past. “Twitter is the most negative place to be. I don’t watch the news after losing. I found a way for myself,” Osaka explained. “Such a career is also a character test, because nothing is predictable.” For example, defending champion Barbora Krejcikova (Cze/2) lost in the first round to local hero Diane Parry (Fra), the celebrated number 97 in the world.
On the other hand, the appearances of world number one Iga Swiatek (6: 2, 6: 0 against Zurenko) and 13-time Paris champion Rafael Nadal (6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 2 against Thompson) were befitting.
Source: Nachrichten
