When the Levee Breaks: Naomi Osaka
The first time I ever set eyes on Naomi Osaka was when she walked out, onto the courts, for the 2018 US OPEN WOMAN’S FINAL against her idol, Serena Williams (who played a distracted game, causing great controversy and turmoil during the match). Headphones securely attached to her ears, head down and fully focused. With a slight raising of her eyes and a wave acknowledging the crowd when her name was announced before returning to her safe space… a sly smile crept up on me. True blooded introverts will always recognize one of their own.
She was only 20 and ended up defeating Williams to earn her first ever Grand Slam. The first ever Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam singles event.
Let’s just quickly break down that last sentence:
- Only 20
- Playing against her childhood idol AND LEGEND Serena Williams
- Wins her first ever Grand Slam
- Represents an entire country with her victory
No pressure at all.
I’ve no need to write out anything about Osaka’s accomplishments. They’re impressive and don’t need my $1.11 worth of attention. Instead, I wish to focus on this unbelievably strong young woman’s ability to be a pillar of class, intelligence and perhaps a somewhat reluctant role model. Because introverts do not like to be the center of attention and every moment spent giving our energy away means 1000 moments in solitude to try and gain it back.
If you’ve just Googled Naomi Osaka (no judgement), I hope you noticed those eyes. She is one of those rare individuals who does not have to speak a word about herself for you to know her depth of character is probably bottomless. And she has consistently proven it on and off the courts in the last three years.
What I really want to bring attention to is Osaka’s recent choice to withdrawal from The French Open.
She won her first match and made the decision to skip her media obligations stating that these interactions with the press were damaging to her mental health; causing her great anxiety. She was fined $15,000 by the French Open and warned that she could face expulsion from the tournament following her decision not to speak with the press during the competition.
One day later she announced her withdrawal from the competition with this public 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 wellbeing 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 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 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 am introverted, and anyone that has seen me at 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 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.
I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.
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 pre-emptively 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.”
Athletes go through media training.
Media training is a specialized form of communication training for interacting with media. The goal of media training is to assist and prepare someone for representing themselves or an organization. It teaches them how to predict questions, avoid common traps, and focus on delivering any messages they want to get across.
Media training does not help you cope with your mental health.
Osaka’s statement surprised many… probably because of its raw openness. Here is a 23-year-old champion whose career is just beginning and she just told the WORLD – she hasn’t been doing well in the past three years.
Let’s quickly flash back to that 2018 US OPEN FINAL in which she beat Williams.
It wasn’t a happy win.
Williams was penalized for a coaching violation, then threw her racket down in the second set for a point penalty. The umpire awarded a game to Osaka to put her up 5-3 after a third violation, for verbal abuse, after Williams called him a thief. And while Williams and Osaka had an emotional embrace after the match, Williams refused to shake the hand of the chair umpire. The crowd, who favored Serena, booed relentlessly at what unfolded.
During her post game interview, Osaka said: “I know that everyone was cheering for Williams and I’m sorry it had to end like this, I just want to say thank you for watching the match.”
In what should have been the most triumphant moment of her career, Osaka ended up apologizing for winning. (I will not tantrum on women having to apologize for being awesome, I promise)
Once upon a time the words “mental health” felt taboo. There is still a slight stigma behind psychological balance when it tips towards feeling NOT OK. And if I’ve said it 1000 times, I’ll say it another 1000 times – it is my firm belief that 94% of the world’s population is prancing around with undiagnosed mental disorders. Yes, I made that percentage up and it is merely based on… oh I don’t know, watching people be themselves.
One more time for the people in the nosebleed section – this world class athlete who was born to perform, whose drive and passion are formidable on their own, who has a loving and supportive family, young girls who are looking up to her and whose shy, quiet nature conceals undeniable strength both on and off the court… confessed to being NOT OK and removed herself from potential glory, accolades, a huge pay-day and heaps more adoration from fans all over the world in order to protect her health.
If you’re not cheering for her right now, you should be.
On those days when I don’t feel OK even the smallest decision appears overwhelming. Imagine having to make the choice to withdraw from an international tennis competition possibly letting down your coaches, supporters and anyone who has put an ounce of energy into your career.
While I applaud Osaka for putting herself first, there are a few others who have not only mocked her but also attempted to shame and poke at her for the decision she made. And this is where I’ve come to shine.
This began when some conservative radio host named Clay Travis (Side note: let me save you a Google search on this 42-year-old fuck-knuckle… he’s your typical insolent, misogynistic little boy in an adult body who loves attention for making shit out of his mouth hole instead of his ass) tweeted, "Since saying she's too introverted to talk to the media after tennis matches, Naomi Osaka has launched a reality show, a Barbie, and now is on the cover of the SI swimsuit issue." Proving he is severely lacking in altruistic intelligence. And possibly jealous because the only magazine who MIGHT put him on the cover is… TRASH PANDA: The monthly publication for bottom feeders.
Here is a pic of Clay Travis doing an impression of himself…
After his tweet, Megyn Kelly chimed in with, "Let's not forget the cover of (& interview in) Vogue Japan and Time Mag!"
Osaka responded with, “Seeing as you’re a journalist I would’ve assumed you would take the time to research what the lead times are for magazines, if you did that you would’ve found out I shot all of my covers last year. Instead, your first reaction is to hop on here and spew negativity, do better Megyn."
And because Kelly is incapable of growth, she came back with this, “Osaka blocked me while taking a shot at me. She is apparently arguing that she shot her many covers b/4 publicly claiming she was too socially anxious to deal w/press. Truth is she just doesn’t like Qs she can’t control. Admit it.”
Well thank you Megyn, just really, really thank you so much for your acidic insight. I’m thrilled for your input because now you can take my output and shove it in that hot garbage receptacle you call a butt.
You are unnecessary. In a world full of journalists and commentators – you’re an unnecessary cog trying to convince people of your worth. Let me help you with that… you do not have any. I’m going to throw my Hail Mary here and say you must be getting worried about your career and that is why you’ve jumped on Osaka for NO REASON. The distance in which you’ve fallen (from your own show on Fox News for years, a failed existence at NBC where your contract was terminated EARLY because you’re too stupid to understand cultural appropriateness when it comes to blackface to creating your own production company because you’re tainted goods now and then launching a podcast on Sirius XM) must make you dizzy. I mean, what could be next for your career? Turd farmer? Consultant for Ivanka Trump’s shoe line?
You’re a bully. And I fucking hate bullies.
Maybe try due diligence. Know the reality of a situation before you come for people. But that would require compassion and effort. It’s easier for you to be caustic for the purposes of staying relevant. You’d rather attack a young woman who is pursuing her passions (tennis and fashion) and making decisions for herself that protect her own well-being. Such a class act Megyn. What I would give to watch Osaka serve a tennis ball straight through your face.
Ok, rant over.
When we see high caliber athletes like Naomi Osaka, we often hold them to these impossible standards while at the same time forgetting their thoughts and emotions can be just as devastating and confusing as ours. We wish for them to be these real-life mortals who can achieve the feats of a superhero in an athletic arena – often for our entertainment. And to think of them as anything less than always mentally OK, just doesn’t compute for some people.
People, check on your athlete friends. They may be conditioned not to speak about how they are feeling, but it doesn’t mean they should be ignored.
Netflix has a terrific documentary on Osaka right now and it’s something you need to watch.
Also, please read this piece by NHL goalie, Corey Hirsch. I feel not enough people were exposed to what he wrote:
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/corey-hirsch-dark-dark-dark
Naomi, if that troll Megyn Kelly ever comes at you again – CALL ME. Introverts protect their own.