Boris Becker, a legend of the game, is worried that Naomi Osaka's battle with depression and anxiety will make it difficult for her to handle the typical stresses faced by top-tier competitors.
The six-time Grand Slam winner, Boris Becker, believes that Naomi Osaka's mental health struggles could put her entire career in jeopardy.
Following a clash over her refusal to participate in press conferences, the 23-year-old Osaka officially withdrew from the French Open this past Monday.
Naomi Osaka, who claimed victory at the 2018 U.S. Open, announced her departure from the tournament on Monday, noting that she wanted to stop the situation from becoming a distracting spectacle.
Leading up to the French Open, Osaka declared a boycott of the media to protect her mental health. Although her honesty regarding her anxiety and depression has won her a lot of sympathy across the sporting world, Boris Becker is concerned she may not be equipped for the high-pressure environment of professional tennis. While analyzing for Eurosport, Becker pointed out that while her feelings are valid, the pressure of the press is a constant factor in the sport. He argued that if she struggles to handle the media in Paris, she will likely face the same issues at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, which is why he views her career as being at risk. Meanwhile, the world number two has indicated she will take a break from the game, hoping to collaborate with tennis officials to create a healthier atmosphere for players.
Her admission of depression and anxiety has resulted in widespread support from the tennis world and beyond, but Becker worries she won’t be able to handle the stresses of in-demand tennis.
As an analyst with Eurosport, where Becker works, Becker told Eurosport that the young woman’s response about the media boycott should be taken seriously.
After she lost a match, she couldn’t handle the pressure of facing the media, but that happens frequently and you have to deal with it.
According to him, “if she cannot cope with the press in Paris, it’s unlikely she will be able to cope with the press in Wimbledon or at the U.S. Open.” This makes him believe her career could be at risk due to mental health issues.
World number two Naomi Osaka has announced that she will step away from tennis for a while but hopes to work with the sport’s authorities to establish a better environment.