Tennis icon Naomi Osaka has once again captured global attention—this time with a raw and revealing confession about her ongoing battle with mental health. In a heartfelt interview aired last night on a popular talk show, Osaka admitted, “There were times I didn’t want to wake up, let alone step onto the court.”
The emotional disclosure stunned viewers and sent shockwaves through the sports world, shedding new light on the depth of Osaka’s personal struggles—something many believed she had overcome following her return to competitive play earlier this year.
Osaka, who famously withdrew from major tournaments in 2021 citing anxiety and depression, revealed that her mental health challenges had not disappeared but evolved. “People think once you talk about it, it goes away. But healing isn’t linear. Some days I still feel like I’m drowning,” she shared.
Fans, fellow athletes, and mental health advocates have flooded social media with messages of support. “Her bravery could save lives,” tweeted Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who has also publicly addressed her own mental health journey.
However, Osaka’s confession also reignited debates about the pressures placed on athletes in the spotlight. Some critics questioned whether such openness could be seen as weakness in a competitive environment, while others hailed her honesty as a vital step in destigmatizing mental health discussions in sports.
The tennis world now awaits whether this latest revelation will impact Osaka’s upcoming season—and if her courage will inspire lasting change in how mental well-being is treated at the highest levels of competition.
