Naomi Osaka, a 25-year-old tennis pro, made headlines when she withdrew from the 2021 French Open to take care of her mental health. Osaka confesses that while it didn’t feel great at the time, she is glad she took some time off to obtain the treatment she required looking back.
Osaka stated recently in an interview with “Good Morning America” that she first felt “ashamed” for taking a vacation for a few months to enhance her mental health. However, she gained a very important lesson during that period.
Osaka stated, “I kind of felt like it was essential, but I kind of felt ashamed at the time. “You are advised to be strong and persevere through everything as an athlete. I believe I’ve learnt that it’s best to refocus and deal with the emotions you’re experiencing at the time so you can bounce back stronger.”
When Osaka returned to the court at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, she was met with a great deal of support from her fellow competitors. The four-time Grand Slam winner expressed her surprise at the outpouring of love during an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” this week.
After the incident, Osaka stated, “I was actually kind of holed up in my house for a while, and then I went to the Olympics.” “I was shocked and honored that so many athletes approached me because these are individuals I watch on television. I felt incredibly appreciative and supported. Really cool, that.”
