Naomi Osaka says feeling happy is now her primary life goal rather than winning tennis matches

Naomi Osaka says happiness is now her main life goal rather than winning tennis matches. Osaka has had a difficult and well-documented mental health journey in recent years, announcing she was taking a break from the game after the US Open last summer, being heckled at Indian Wells on her return this spring, and recently revealing her use of a therapist. Ad/> All this seems to have changed her outlook, and she hopes that speaking out — not just on her own situation, but also that of other causes such as Black Lives Matter — has made it easier for others to do the same.

WTA MadridOsaka reveals MJ inspiration, teases potential mixed doubles partner at Wimbledon — Madrid Diary01/05/2022 AT 22:51 That meant Osaka getting into hot water with tennis authorities for her wish to miss press conferences, but she says she took those decisions consciously. Speaking to Self, Osaka said: “I just didn’t feel like I had to do things for others. I wanted to start listening to myself and doing things that I needed to do to protect my mindset.

“After I opened up about my struggles, I spoke to a lot of athletes that told me they too had quietly been suffering. Jabeur makes history as she defeats Pegula in the final of the Madrid Open Osaka on why NBA legend Jordan is an inspiration despite loss in Madrid “I didn’t expect any of it [the ensuing attention], and to be honest it was a bit strange. For the first time I had press at my house and at my hotel, that had never happened before.

It was a strange feeling and I was shocked that people cared that much. “I guess I am glad it gave others the opportunity to also speak up even if that wasn’t my intention or what I expected. “It started a conversation that I think we all needed to start