Naomi Osaka says she’s taking a break from tennis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

Which will all dry up if she doesn't play tennis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like no one is protecting this girl.

I do wonder who is advising her and ensuring her mental health care needs are met. She seems all alone. She’s still young and needs family around her.

I agree. I even think that the judge failed her by not warning her after the second meltdown. Notice how after she finally got the warning she settled in and nearly came back. Everyone is walking around her on eggshells out of fear of upsetting her. She almost seemed child-like out there. I think she needs some tough love and some boundaries along with her therapy she’s receiving.

Some athletes crack under pressure and some thrive. To be the best in the world, one must be able to conquer their own demons. I hope that she takes some time off and comes back strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe fewer photo shoots and endorsements and more focus on tennis skills.

I read an interview with her trainer. He described her regular routine. After breakfast a 1 hour stretching session, 1 hour of tennis play, and then a 3 hour training session with him. He said when she’s actually training for a match that schedule lightens up a little so she has energy for the actual matches. Not sure how much room there is for more.

[Anonymous]

Kobe Bryant was a mentor and close friend to her. She could really use someone like him on her team right now, someone that can relate to the struggles of being a professional athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like no one is protecting this girl.

She’s 23. A woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like no one is protecting this girl.

She’s 23. A woman.

She’s a young woman. There is nothing wrong with describing a young woman as a girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe fewer photo shoots and endorsements and more focus on tennis skills.

This!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

With all the million bd she had accumulated, if she invests well she can retire and do whatever she wants without having to worry about ever working again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

That's part of her problem. She let the endorsements and partnership distract her and convince her she's above accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like no one is protecting this girl.

She has her family and sister. There is so much pressure in tennis. If you read any autobiographies by players the recurring theme is, even with a team you are alone and the pressure is intense. Their schedules are grueling.

To the other posters who think sports figures OWE them - piss off.

I'm proud of Naomi for trying to explain what she is going through because she will help others struggling with the same issues.

She sounds depressed and is struggling terribly. I can't imagine dealing with that on this international stage while 23 years old. You don't just shake that off. This is a new day and more famous people are being open with their mental health issues.

I hope she knows there are so many people supporting her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

That's part of her problem. She let the endorsements and partnership distract her and convince her she's above accountability.

Above accountability? WTH? Ugh. You are jealous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

That's part of her problem. She let the endorsements and partnership distract her and convince her she's above accountability.

I disagree with the bolded. I think we're witnessing a mental health breakdown, and I think with that she's losing the ability to show up and perform in the way she is expected. I don't think she's choosing to do this to herself or has told herself that she doesent have any respnisibliy. She made the right decisiont to take some time away from the sport.

[Anonymous]

She is in a tough battle with depression and low self esteem. Here's a direct quote from an article about her.

“Recently I’ve been asking myself why do I feel the way I do and I realize one of the reasons is because internally I think I’m never good enough,” wrote the 23-year-old, who is the USTA’s third-ranked women’s tennis player. “I never tell myself that I’ve done a good job but I do know I constantly tell myself that I suck or I could do better. I know in the past some people have called me humble but if I really consider it I think I’m extremely self deprecating.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

That's part of her problem. She let the endorsements and partnership distract her and convince her she's above accountability.

I disagree with the bolded. I think we're witnessing a mental health breakdown, and I think with that she's losing the ability to show up and perform in the way she is expected. I don't think she's choosing to do this to herself or has told herself that she doesent have any respnisibliy. She made the right decisiont to take some time away from the sport.

+1. Who do you think she is accountable to -- you? The problem is she feels too accountable, too much pressure to perform, she beats herself up when she's not perfect and that is affecting her mental health and her ability to play. She is right to take time away to deal with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you look at her overall wealth, very little of that comes from prize money from tennis. She has a very lucrative deal with Nike and many other endorsements and partnerships.

With all the million bd she had accumulated, if she invests well she can retire and do whatever she wants without having to worry about ever working again.

It doesn't matter. Money does not make mental health better. Nothing she has said indicates she's worrying about her finaincial future at this moment.