Tennis star Naomi Osaka has long been an advocate for mental health awareness in sports, but her latest post-match interview has left fans and fellow athletes worried about her emotional well-being.
Following a tough third-round loss to Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at Wimbledon on Friday, July 4, Osaka appeared visibly dejected in her post-match press conference, delivering a raw and emotionally charged self-assessment.
“I’m just going to be a negative human being today. I’m so sorry,” Osaka said, struggling to hold back frustration. “I have nothing positive to say about myself — which is something I’m working on, I think.”
The 26-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion had taken the first set 6-3 but couldn’t maintain momentum, ultimately losing 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
While the match itself was a testament to her competitive fire, it was her somber mood off the court that caught widespread attention online.
Social media quickly flooded with messages of support and concern. Many fans praised Osaka for her honesty while urging her to be kinder to herself.
“It was my daughter’s birthday so I was happy about that this week,” she added during the press conference. “But other than that… today I’m just constantly replaying the match now.”
The moment touched a nerve across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where users expressed empathy and called for a renewed conversation about emotional safety and athlete support systems in high-pressure sports.
Below is a screenshot of some of the fans posting their concern and support for the tennis star:
Osaka, who welcomed her daughter Shai in July 2023, has been candid in recent years about navigating motherhood, mental health, and the challenges of returning to elite-level tennis. Her vulnerability has made her a role model for many, but also a lightning rod for criticism.
“She doesn’t need to be perfect — she just needs to be supported,” one fan wrote. Another echoed, “Naomi is a reminder that strength looks different for everyone.”
This is not the first time Osaka has spoken openly about mental health. In 2021, she withdrew from the French Open and later Wimbledon, citing anxiety and depression. Since then, she’s become a leading voice in the movement to normalize mental health conversations in professional sports.
Osaka’s emotional honesty this week, though painful to witness, has once again underscored the importance of creating space for athletes to process loss, disappointment, and self-doubt — all very human reactions to an incredibly demanding sport.
As she continues her journey both on and off the court, many are hoping she gives herself the same grace and compassion she encourages in others.
