Naomi Osaka claims people started EXPLOITING her after her success which became the reason why she skipped the press conference at the French Open

Naomi Osaka reflects on her mental health history.

Naomi Osaka claims people started EXPLOITING her after her success which became the reason why she skipped the press conference at the French Open

Naomi Osaka (Credit:- CBS Sport)

Tennis sensation Naomi Osaka explained her reasons for skipping press conferences at the French Open and on several other occations in a candid interview on the ‘Mountaintop Conversations‘ podcast. The 25-year-old athlete, who has been a strong advocate for mental health, discussed feeling exploited and the impact it had on her well-being.

Osaka, recognized for her remarkable tennis skills, has frequently found herself in the media limelight as she climbed the ladder of success. In the interview with the host of the ‘Mountaintop Conversations’ podcast, she discussed her decision to avoid press conferences, which created controversy and debate in the sports world.

YouTube video

“As I became more known, there were people I felt their energy is to exploit. I felt myself becoming more closed-off, and my character changing. I didn’t like it,” Osaka candidly shared during the podcast

Throughout her career, Osaka has received both praise and criticism from the media and the general public. The pressure to perform on and off the court increased as her success developed. She had received fines and criticism for her decision to avoid news briefings, but she remained steadfast in prioritizing her mental health and well-being.

Her decision triggered a debate on the mental toll that celebrity and constant media scrutiny can have on athletes and public figures. It also sparked debate regarding the significance of accommodating athletes’ well-being, particularly when it comes to mental health difficulties.

Related: Naomi Osaka opens up on her dark spell of life as she admits to feeling nothing despite winning the Grand Slams in Australia and USA

Naomi Osaka opens up about her struggles with mental health

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Credit: NDTV Sports)

Osaka said that she was unaware of the concept of mental health as a child. In the podcast interview, she stated that mental health was not an issue that people around her discussed, therefore she was unaware of her own struggles.

“I actually didn’t know what mental health was. Growing up, no one was really talking about it. I think honestly the first time I heard about it was after I pulled out from the French Open. It’s not like I had a dark childhood or anything, it’s just that everything was so focused on tennis,” Osaka shared.

The 2018 Indian Wells event was a watershed moment for Osaka when she realized something wasn’t quite right with her emotional well-being. Despite experiencing feelings of sorrow and sadness, she lacked the language and understanding to recognize her situation as a mental health problem.

Despite her success on the court, Osaka struggled with her mental health issues, believing she had no choice but to bear the weight silently. She only comprehended the gravity of her predicament and acknowledged the necessity to act after winning the Australian Open for the second time in 2021.

In case you missed it!