‘Keep doing what you’re doing’ Coco Gauff praises Naomi Osaka’s approach to mental health » FirstSportz

The 2022 season for Naomi Osaka has been overshadowed by injuries so far. Only 17 games have been played that year, including 12 wins for the former world No. 1. Before advancing to the third round of the Australian Open, Osaka started the year by reaching the semi-finals of the Melbourne Summer Set. The 24-year-old reached her first season finale in Miami after an early exit at Indian Wells, losing only to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the league game.

Since then, she has only appeared in three games and lost two of them. Before falling in the opening round at Roland Garros, Osaka reached the round of 32 in Madrid. Ahead of the US Open later this month, a competition she has already won twice, she will look to take her campaign seriously on North American hard courts start.

Also read: “Toni always tries to help,” as Stan Wawrinka snapped at officials for failing to warn Rafael Nadal, who was training between games

“It was nice to see that she put mental health first” Coco Gauff on Naomi Osaka

Roland Garros finalist Coco Gauff praised Naomi Osaka for raising public awareness of the issue of mental health ahead of her Silicon Valley Classic campaign in San Jose. The 24-year-old Osaka rose to fame last year when she pulled out of her second-round match at the French Open due to mental health issues. During the trial, she publicly discussed her struggles with depression and anxiety and received a lot of encouragement from other players.

The Japanese has not played since Roland Garros earlier this year due to an Achilles injury. However, Osaka will return to action at this week’s WTA500 event in San Jose, where Gauff will also play. In her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff praised the four-time Grand Slam winner for her commitment to mental health and being a kind of trailblazer.

“Watching her with her mental health has made many athletes take a step back and realize that it’s okay to prioritize certain things about our sport. I feel like we were used to being told that was wrong. It was nice to see that she and Simone Biles are putting mental health first. I’m glad she’s a representative of tennis, a representative of our sport. I always like to see her. When I lost to her in Cincinnati last year, I said to her, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.’”

Also read: “We all cried,” Andy Murray opens an emotional moment at the Citi Open

Also read: “There were two different ways of thinking” Naomi Osaka opens her separation from coach Wim Fissette, announces father Leonard Francois as the new head coach

Follow us on: Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter