‘Growing up being ‘the quiet one’, I never wanted media training,’ says Naomi Osaka

‘Growing up being ‘the quiet one’, I never wanted media training,’ says Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka

It has been a turbulent year on and off the tennis court for the World No.3 Naomi Osaka. Ever since the Japanese girl chose to not attend the mandatory press conference at the 2021 French Open, she has been regularly hounded by controversies.

Later, Osaka even cited anxiety and depression as the reason to withdraw from the event in Paris and Wimbledon. Although she is back onto the tour, her struggle is visible and disappointing too.

As most tennis fans would be aware, Osaka comes across as a very recluse and shy person. Recently in an email interview with the Women’s Health Magazine, the four-time Grand Slam champion explained the reason for her diffident approach towards the media.

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“I never wanted media training,” Naomi says. “Because I didn’t want to change my personality to offer a canned response that didn’t feel like me. Yes, some people may find my personality different, just as they do with my mixed-race background, but I find it to be the thing that makes me uniquely myself.” 

Although Osaka has been at the forefront of creating awareness towards several society issues, she is keen on embracing her introverted nature.  

“Growing up being [labeled] ‘the quiet one’ puts you in a box and, even worse, makes you stand out when all you want is to blend in. But now I try to embrace and own it,” Osaka emphasised.

The 23-year-old was once again on the wrong side of the media at the recently concluded Southern & Western Open, where she walked out of the press room teary-eyed.

Osaka keen on creating mental wellbeing awareness

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka

Despite her afflictions and jibes with the media, Osaka is keen on leading by example and creating awareness about mental wellbeing of fellow athletes.

“I hope I was able to help some people and for them to see that even athletes are still humans like the rest of us. And we all are dealing with something in our lives.”

As the two-time US Open champion Osaka prepares for the final Slam of the year in New York, she also vehemently believes that tennis players can be influential in making the world a better place. Osaka further concluded by saying life is bigger than tennis.

“Now more than ever I see that you can be more than just one thing. More than just someone who plays tennis,” Osaka signed off.

Also read: ‘Your legacy lives on’: Naomi Osaka pays tribute to Kobe Bryant on his birthday