Bill Simons
In 2018, as Naomi Osaka set the tennis world on fire en route to the US Open final, I asked her coach Sascha Bajin, “What’s the best part of Naomi Osaka?” “Her innocence,” he replied. “The world can learn from the innocence of that girl.” Osaka would later tell Inside Tennis that her innocence would never go away. But innocence always does. Time and circumstances impose.
Rising to be a young tennis superstar is often a precarious, solitary proposition. In more ways than one, you are out there alone. The spotlight is fierce. Chris Evert, who years ago was celebrated as America’s darling, later found herself lonely and enveloped in sorrow in her London hotel room just after winning Wimbledon. Young Monica Seles came out for her French Open debut against Zina Garrison and, channeling her inner Holly Golightly, blithely tossed flowers to the adoring throng. Four years later she would be stabbed in the back. Teen Stefanie Graf said, “My life is perfect.” Soon her career would be subsumed by daunting landmines.
In recent years Naomi Osaka has been considered one of the most endearing, transparent and courageous players to ever pick up a racket. Going into the French Open, despite her No. 2 ranking, some considered her to be the WTA’s most talented player. She’d won four Slams, including two of the three most recent majors. But questions swirled about her clay court play. This summer in an Esquire article she briefly referred to her struggles with depression, yet few knew the depths of her doubt.
A Reddit report noted that she became upset when one of her relatives said she hadn’t been playing that well recently. “It showed how fragile her mindset has been,” noted Tennis Channel’s Jason Goodall. “The world’s greatest athletes have been so strong mentally. Where does Naomi go from here?” Lindsay Davenport replied, “We are going to see her back stronger than ever. We don’t know when it’s going to be. Maybe it’s going to be a couple of weeks, maybe it’s going to be a couple of months. Hopefully she takes the time she needs.”
Ironically it was just announced that Naomi had made over $55 million in the past 12 months. But we all know that, while money has its value, it doesn’t assure happiness or serenity.
On court, these days, no other WTA player is known more for her steely nerve than Naomi. Her ability to step up and hit out at crunch time is uncanny. Earlier this year, en route to the Aussie Open title, she saved match points against Garbine Muguruza. Her ability to survive the imposing turmoil of the oh-so-dysfunctional 2018 US Open final was one of the greatest displays of mental fortitude in tennis history. And she is still feeling its aftereffects.
Today she released this statement: “Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.
“I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly.
“The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones, as that helps dull my social anxiety.
“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.
“So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences. I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts, and I wanted to highlight that.
“I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament, as the Slams are intense. I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans. Anyways, hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I’ll see you when I see you.”
Analyst Dennis Fluegel contended that Osaka’s statement “was genuine and humbling. In short, an act of raw and very difficult emotional bravery!” Naomi’s fellow players quickly came to her support. “We are behind you, baby girl, take the time you need,” said Sloane Stephens. “Stay strong – I admire your vulnerability,” added Coco Gauff. Serena said, “the only I thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like. I’ve been in those positions. We have different personalities…I’m thick, other people are thin. Everyone is different.”
Gilles Moretton of the French Tennis Federation stated, “We are sorry and sad for Naomi Osaka. We wish her the best and quickest possible recovery. We look look forward to having Naomi in our tournament next year…We remain very committed to all athletes’ well being and to continually improving every aspect of players’ experience…including with the media, like we have always tried to do.”
In the immediate aftermath of this stunning development, it is clear that Naomi is an intensely private person who deserves nothing but our heartfelt empathy. Jon Wertheim noted, “Let everyone give her her space…We are still all learning about mental health and mental illness.” Broadcaster Steve Weissman said, “This really highlights a need for less judgement, more kindness and empathy in society as a whole. This is just a loss overall. I am sad for Naomi, I am sad for our sport.”
Journalists should be smart enough to know when the person they are interviewing is in a stressed state of mind. They should maybe say, “let’s talk another time”