The No. 2 female tennis player in the world, Naomi Osaka, withdrew from the French Open citing her struggles with depression and anxiety.
Her withdrawal came after she announced she wouldn’t be speaking to the press, a requirement for professional athletes. The French Open responded by fining her $15,000 and all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments issued statements threatening to escalate the penalties.
Osaka’s decision — and the mixed response that’s followed it — has ignited a conversation about mental health in sports, specifically among Black female athletes. It’s also brought attention to the strange relationship between athletes and the sports press.
How should athletes prioritize their mental health? And what responsibilities do those who administrate sports have to help them do so?
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