“Keep doing what you’re doing” Coco Gauff lauds Naomi Osaka’s approach to mental health

“Keep doing what you’re doing” Coco Gauff lauds Naomi Osaka’s approach to mental health

The 2022 season for Naomi Osaka has been marred by injuries so far. Only 17 games have been played this year, including 12 victories for the former World No. 1. Before making it to the third round of the Australian Open, Osaka began the year by reaching the semifinals of the Melbourne Summer Set. The 24-year-old reached her maiden season final in Miami after an early exit in Indian Wells, losing only to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the championship match.

Since then, she has only competed in three matches, losing two of them. Before falling in the opening round at Roland Garros, Osaka advanced to the Round of 32 in Madrid. Prior to the US Open later this month, a competition she has already won twice, she will try to launch her campaign in earnest on North American hard courts.

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“It was nice to see her put mental health first” Coco Gauff on Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka

Roland Garros finalist Coco Gauff has hailed Naomi Osaka for bringing the topic of mental health into the public consciousness ahead of her Silicon Valley Classic campaign in San Jose. Osaka, 24, gained notoriety last year when she withdrew from her second-round French Open match due to mental health problems. During the process, she publicly discussed her struggles with depression and anxiety and received a lot of encouragement from other players.

The Japanese hasn’t played since Roland Garros this year, due to an Achilles injury. However, Osaka is set to return to action at the WTA500 event in San Jose this week, where Gauff will also play. Speaking in her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff lauded the four-time Grand Slam winner for taking a stand on mental health and for being a trailblazer of sorts.

“Watching her with mental health made a lot of athletes take a step back and realize that it’s OK to put certain things above our sport. I feel like we were used to being told that was wrong. So, it was nice to see her and Simone Biles put mental health first. I’m glad that she’s a representation of tennis, a representation of our sport. I always like seeing her. When I lost to her in Cincinnati (last year), I told her, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.’”

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