US Open to offer players access to mental health professionals and 'quiet rooms' during tournament after Naomi Osaka's decision to skip the French Open and Wimbledon
Following Naomi Osaka's decision to skip the French Open and Wimbledon over mental health concerns, the US Open has announced that players will have access to licensed mental healthcare providers and 'quiet rooms' at the upcoming tournament.
As part of its new initiative, the USTA said it seeks to 'ensure that a comprehensive and holistic approach will be taken with all aspects of player health, including mental health.'
'Our goal is to make mental health services as readily available to athletes as services for a sprained ankle - and with no stigma attached,' said Dr. Brian Hainline, a USTA first vice president. 'We will provide an environment that fosters wellness while providing the necessary resources to readily allow mental health care seeking.'
Following Naomi Osaka's decision to skip the French Open and Wimbledon over mental health concerns, the US Open has announced that players will have access to licensed mental healthcare providers and 'quiet rooms' at the upcoming tournament
The USTA will provide other services, including access to quiet rooms, where players can get away from the stress of the tournament.
'The USTA and U.S. Open are always looking for ways to work collaboratively with the other Grand Slam events, ATP, WTA and ITF to provide the greatest level of support for our competitors,' USTA CEO Mike Dowse said.
'We recognize that ensuring the mental health of the players is an area that needed to be addressed, and we are taking formative steps to give athletes the necessary resources to compete at the highest level.'
Osaka, the reigning US Open champion, brought attention to the topic when she pulled out of the French Open in late May to take a mental health break, then sat out Wimbledon, too.
She said she has 'huge waves of anxiety' before speaking to the media and that she has 'suffered long bouts of depression.'
While the 23-year-old Osaka's decision was supported by many athletes, including tennis legend Serena Williams, it also drew criticism from other celebrities, such as British media personality Piers Morgan, who called her an 'arrogant spoiled brat' in a DailyMail.com piece.
'It was something I needed to do for myself,' Osaka said last week at a tournament in Cincinnati. 'I was a little bit embarrassed to go out because I didn't know if people were looking at me in a different way.
'The biggest eye-opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say that they were really glad that I did what I did. I'm proud of what I did.'
Naomi Osaka of Japan talks to the media after the second round of the 2021 Western & Southern Open WTA 1000 tennis tournament Western & Southern Open
Osaka said she reached out to US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the US women's team final in Tokyo for her own mental health needs. 'I sent her a message,' Osaka said. 'I also wanted to give her space because I know how overwhelming it can feel.'
Osaka also said she reached out to US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the US women's team final in Tokyo for her own mental health needs.
'I sent her a message,' Osaka said. 'I also wanted to give her space because I know how overwhelming it can feel.'
Osaka, who lit the Olympic cauldron in the opening ceremony in her native Japan, said she took time off following the Olympics, and was hoping a strong showing at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati could help her prepare for the US Open, which starts August 30.
'I felt like I played well in Tokyo,' Osaka said. 'But there was still some decisions that I didn't make that well, so I just wanted to get that feeling back because I honestly haven't played many matches this year. I guess I'll see how well I do in this tournament and sort of lead it on from there into New York.'
Queens has quickly become a big stage for Osaka, who already has two US Open victories to her name.
She famously won the US Open for the first time in 2018, upsetting her idol, Williams, at age 20 in a match that was overshadowed by the American legend's tirade against the chair umpire.
Afterwards, a visibly shaken Osaka tearfully accepted her trophy while being consoled by Williams.
During last year's US Open, following a summer of protests and civil unrest, Osaka had the names of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other Black Americans killed by police or vigilantes emblazoned on face masks.
Naomi Osaka (left) famously won the US Open for the first time in 2018, upsetting her idol, Serena Williams right), at age 20 in a match that was overshadowed by the American legend's tirade against the chair umpire. Afterwards, a visibly shaken Osaka tearfully accepted her trophy while being consoled by Williams
