Tennis star Naomi Osaka talks about her mental health in new Time issue

(CNN) – Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has written a first-person essay on mental health in the latest issue of the magazine. YouI.

The four-time Grand Slam champion who withdrew from the French Open in May, citing mental health reasons, later revealed that she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first Grand Slam title in 2018.

Osaka subsequently withdrew from Wimbledon.

Citing her natural introversion and desire not to be the center of attention, Osaka writes, “I always try to push myself to speak out what I think is right, but that often comes at the cost of great anxiety.”

“I feel uncomfortable being the spokesperson or the face of athletes’ mental health, as it is still something new for me and I don’t have all the answers. I hope people feel identified and understand that it is okay not to be well, and it’s okay to talk about it. “

Osaka, 23, suggests that the current press conference format between journalists and athletes is “out of date” and “in need of a major revamp.”

“Athletes are human. Tennis is our privileged profession and, of course, there are commitments off the court that coincide. But I cannot imagine another profession in which assisting […] be so harshly scrutinized, “adds Osaka.

Osaka will return to competitive tennis at the Tokyo Olympics and is one of the favorites to win a gold medal from Japan.