NEW YORK–Naomi Osaka returned to the US Open – the site of some of the tennis star’s greatest triumphs on court and some difficult moments off it – for the first time in about a year to compete in a panel on mental health in sport. , a topic she helped bring focus to two years ago.
“For me, coming back here means a lot. This room, in particular. There were a few tears shed. A lot,” Osaka, who has won two of her four major championships at Flushing Meadows, said with a laugh in the main interview room of the Grand Slam tournament. “I feel a lot of joy coming back here. It’s a bit like seeing an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time.
Wednesday’s meeting, which also included 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, covered topics including loneliness, connecting with others through a “buddy system,” the role of social media in mental health. struggles and parenting.
Osaka is a 25-year-old woman born in Japan who moved to the United States with her parents when she was 3 years old. She recently gave birth to a daughter and has not competed on tour since an event in Tokyo in September 2022, shortly after losing in the first round of the US Open.
The former number one ranked player said she plans to return to action at the Australian Open next January.
“It’s really been very interesting. The whole process. It was long and short at the same time. When I walked away…I just remember watching the Australian Open and being very devastated, because I’ve never missed an Australian Open,” said Osaka, who also won this major tournament twice. “I was just thinking, when I looked at Serena and Venus (Williams), I was like, ‘I’ll probably never play their age.’ But sitting here, I’m like, ‘No, you know what? I could do that.’
Osaka revealed her struggles with depression and anxiety when she withdrew from the French Open in 2021. She later took extended breaks from the game to protect her mental health.
His final stint away “really grew my love for the game and made me realize I wasn’t going to play forever.” I have to accept my time. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3,” she said. “I don’t think I can predict what I’ll do – I’ll never be able to – but it’s definitely made me appreciate a lot of things that I took for granted.”
Osaka, who also spent time watching tennis on Wednesday, opened up about how she had “felt alone” during her pregnancy.
Phelps spoke of a “breaking point” nearly 10 years ago, “where I didn’t want to be alive.”
“I literally didn’t talk about everything I was going through with my own family for 10 years, and then it was just me being a volcano that erupted,” Phelps said. “Instead of talking about it, I let it develop. »
