Tennis player Naomi Osaka responded to NHK's interview by e-mail before the union ceremony of the Japanese team at the Tokyo Olympics was held on the 6th. After showing his intention to participate in the Olympics, he revealed his current feelings.
French Open abstention without interview
In May, Osaka abstained from the tournament at the French Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments, without responding to a press conference after the match.
After that, I was appointed as the representative of the Tokyo Olympics, but since I missed the Wimbledon Championship that started last week, I was paying attention to future trends.
Before the union ceremony of the Japanese team at the Tokyo Olympics to be held on the 6th, Osaka responded to NHK's interview by e-mail about the recent situation and the Olympics, saying, "I spent a lot of time with my family for the first time in a long time. He said, "I was able to do it," and said, "I am gradually preparing to face the Olympics in the best possible condition."
"I'm really looking forward to playing at the most prestigious sporting event in the world. I'm proud to represent Japan in the tournament in my hometown," said Osaka.
In addition, he said that he did not respond to the press conference after the match of the French Open. "After winning the US Open in 2018, I was always worried when I got attention from all over the world. Especially big tournament. The French Open didn't attend the press conference because of that tendency. "
Immediately after abstaining from the tournament, Osaka used the word "depression" to describe his condition after winning the US Open for the first time on SNS, so he was "depressed" or "depressed" in some media reports. It was said that this time, the word "anxiety", which means "anxiety", is used for NHK's interview.
Osaka player's email reply [full text]
-It's been less than a month before the Olympics start, but are your expectations for the Games rising?
"I can't compare it because it's my first Olympics, but as an athlete, I'm really looking forward to playing at some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world."
-What
does the
Olympics mean to you?
"This Olympics will be held in my hometown of Japan.
Japan has a lot of fun memories and has greatly shaped my life and way of thinking.
I am proud to be able to represent Japan in the upcoming Olympics
.
I think "
-How have you been feeling since the French Open?
"Recently, I've been spending a lot of time with my family for the first time in a while, and I'm feeling calm and refreshed both physically and mentally.
I'm gradually preparing for the Olympics in the best possible condition."
“When I talk to a lot of people, I ’m very anxious and nervous.”
-Please tell us about your mental health.
"I wasn't the most noticed tennis player until I won the US Open in 2018, but when it comes
to the world's attention
.
I
've
always been anxious,
especially before the big tournament
. At the US
Open, I decided not to attend the press conference to keep my mind healthy.
I have a desire to convey my strong beliefs, but the price is that I get anxious many times.
Athletes can also feel anxious, so without severe sanctions, from the media offensive. I think it's okay to give them the right to rest for a while.
Like people in different positions, some privacy should be protected.
That's when you're in great anxiety
.
Isn't it necessary? "
-What is Osaka particularly worried about?
"I'm not good at speaking in public, and when I speak in front of a large number of people, I get very anxious and nervous. At an
important press conference, my anxiety and tension increase and my mental condition worsens. I will do it. "
-How do you feel about press conferences such as tour tournaments that you must attend as a player?
"Traditional press conferences are sacred. Most tennis reporters seem to me to be based on their current style.
Athletes may also be fighting anxiety and are subject to strict sanctions. I think it's okay to exchange opinions on mental health without doing anything. I
would like to continue to
attend the
press conference while thinking about my own mental health
. "-Situation
like this one. What is the reason why you can continue to play tennis as a top professional even if you have one?
"The team that supports me, and the fans who support me, are a big driving force for me to move forward."-
Please give a few words to your fans.
"I am proud to be able to participate in the Olympic Games on behalf of Japan, and I will do my best to meet your expectations and dreams."
Practice resumed from the end of last month
Coach Wim Fissette, who coaches Osaka from the off-season, told NHK that he had resumed training for the Tokyo Olympics from the end of last month.
Regarding the current situation of Mr. Osaka, he said, "I was refreshed by staying away from the court for a while, and I am newly motivated and working on preparations for the Olympics."
Fisette coach is an experienced coach who has coached many top players such as Kim Christers of Belgium who was the former number one in the world and won four wins in four major tournaments. I'm a very strong player. I've grown a lot in humans over the last few years, but I'm having a hard time changing the circumstances around me, so I think it's a tough time now. "
When asked what kind of support he needed from the top tennis players as a coach, he said, "Top players are also required to work off the court, which puts greater expectations and pressure on them, which is a heavy burden. Tennis is a tournament. Even if you win, the next tournament will start the next week, and anxiety, fear, and tension will start again, so mental support is just as important as physical and technical support. "
Background of "rejection of interview" and "abstention of tournament"
Before the opening of the French Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments held in France from May to June, Osaka said on his Twitter account that he "does not consider the mental state of the athlete." He announced his intention not to attend all press conferences during the tournament.
In fact, although Osaka won the first round on May 30, he did not respond to the press conference after the match and was fined $ 15,000 by the tournament organizer and about 1.6 million yen in Japanese yen. ..
Furthermore, from the organizers of the four major tournaments, if they do not respond to the press conference in the future, they will be severely punished including disqualification of the French Open, and there is a possibility that they will be suspended in the future four major tournaments. In a statement, Osaka posted on his Twitter account that "anger is a lack of understanding. Change makes people uncomfortable."
However, on the 31st of the next day, Osaka, who updated his Twitter again, said, "There is a situation I had not imagined when I posted it a few days ago. To allow everyone to refocus on the tournament. I thought it was best for me to withdraw from the tournament, other players, and myself, "he abstained from the tournament.
He said about his situation, "I've been feeling depressed for a long time since the 2018 US Open and I really had a hard time dealing with it. Before I talk to the media around the world, there's always a big wave of anxiety. Will be attacked. "
After that, Mr. Osaka missed the Wimbledon Championship and the tour tournament, and had been invisible to the public until now.