‘Destigmatize the Mental Health Space’ – Naomi Osaka Launches Path-Breaking Partnership After the French Open 2021 Controversy

Naomi Osaka has had a rough start to the year. She could not oust her opponents at the Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open, and the Indian Wells. The best of the results came out on the courts of Miami, where she faced Iga Swiatek.

During the Indian Wells, the player faced a heckling incident, which affected the player, and after the match, she was visibly seen crying. Naomi Osaka is an advocate of the mental health of athletes and has openly talked about the matter.

Naomi Osaka took to her Instagram to spread the message of the prevalence of mental health issues. She shared how she got to know about the concept of mental health. The Japanese player elaborated on it.

She stated, “Around this time last year I got introduced to the term mental health. My whole life all I knew was to keep my head down and if something’s bothering me just deal with it internally no matter how bad it was.”

She further talked about the things that have been helping her to make her mental health better and overall a healthier and happier human being.

Osaka stated, “Thankfully the world has evolved a lot and recently I’ve been lucky enough to find great tools that are helping me on my journey, so I want to use the experience I’ve gained so far to help as many people as I can.” 

Naomi Osaka collaborates to promote mental health awareness

Naomi Osaka has collaborated with Modern Heath Company to promote the acknowledgment and seriousness of mental health issues.

She stated, “I’m really excited and honored to be working with @modernhealthco to raise awareness and destigmatize the mental health space. Thank every one of you that has helped me on my journey and Modern Health for giving me a space to make an impact in an area that I feel is so important.”

Before and after Naomi’s past year

The heckling incident of Indian Wells had affected the Japanese player. She had raised her voice against it. Osaka had garnered a lot of support from many celebrities regarding the mental health of athletes.

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Last year, the world-renowned player had taken off her name ahead of the French Open because of her mental health. One year later, she is taking admirable steps to promote a healthy mindset and mental health.

On the tennis front, Naomi lost to Sara Sorribes Tormo in the round of 32 of the Madrid Open. She has been suffering from injuries. Still, she pushed herself to play, which did not work in the favor of the Japanese player. She suffered from a left calf injury and was defeated by the score of 6-3, 6-1 in straight sets. 

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Can Naomi Osaka become the World No. 1 once again?