Naomi Osaka, the 26-year-old tennis superstar, has faced tough battles both on and off the court, but her resilience is reshaping how mental health is viewed in sports. Reflecting on a painful 2022 incident at the Indian Wells Masters, Osaka recalls how a heckler’s shout, “Naomi, you s-ck!” shattered her focus and left her in tears mid-match. The incident, which reminded her of similar experiences endured by Serena and Venus Williams, marked a turning point. “It kind of took me out of my element,” she shared recently, admitting that her emotional reaction highlighted the immense pressure athletes face.
In the years since, Osaka has been a vocal advocate for mental health, helping push the tennis world to take these issues seriously. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Osaka noted that “almost all” tournaments now offer mental health resources, including quiet rooms and on-site counselors available 24/7. These changes reflect the growing support Osaka’s advocacy has inspired, as she believes “mental health is as important as your physical health.”
To manage her own struggles, Osaka has developed a toolkit of techniques, from meditation and journaling to disconnecting from social media and using headphones to combat social anxiety. Even on tour, she travels with a mental health coach, someone she describes as helping her develop tools to navigate both her personal life and career. She’s also embraced more leisure activities, like gaming and spending time with her dog, Butta, which bring a sense of calm amid the high-stakes world of professional tennis.
Osaka’s journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s inspiring a new generation of athletes to prioritize their well-being over the weight of public expectations. Her role as Maybelline’s first Brave Together ambassador is another platform for Osaka to spread awareness, showing that athletes, like everyone else, are human—and mental strength is key to their success.
