Tears ran down her cheeks, the pain was obviously deep, but Naomi Osaka wanted to get rid of her message on the pitch. She asked the referee for a microphone and the audience for attention. She had to use her strong voice to counter the malicious heckling of a spectator who had stunned her at the tennis tournament in Indian Wells – even if it took more strength.
“Hi, I just wanted to say thank you,” Osaka began and faltered. The fans cheered, the Japanese chuckled shyly and continued her speech: “I’ve been disturbed many times, so far it hasn’t really hit me. But here?” Here she no longer wanted to accept it. Osaka had heard too much about incidents in the stands in the Californian desert.
“I saw a video of Venus and Serena being hissed at here,” Osaka said tearfully, “I don’t know why, but it stuck in my head.” As if in a continuous loop, it ran off in her.
ATP Indian Wells
Medvedev wins first game as world number one
14 HOURS AGO
More than 20 years ago, the Williams sisters were booed in Indian Wells, father Richard later spoke of racist insults, and the family boycotted the tournament for years. Osaka recalled this when, in a silent moment, the viewer yelled “Naomi, you suck!”, which translated in a friendly way: “Naomi, you suck!”
Despite tears, Osaka keeps fighting
The match against the Russian Veronika Kudermetova had become a minor matter at this early stage, but Osaka continued it. While she cried The 0: 6, 4: 6 second round defeat no longer bothered the 2018 tournament winner, Osaka’s mission on the tennis tour has long gone beyond sporting success. She is one of the symbolic figures in the debate about mental health in professional sports.
Last year, Osaka gave weight to the issue when she refused to attend the mandatory press conferences at the French Open out of concern for her mental health. Since then she has spoken openly about her depression – titles and triumphs have receded into the background.
Osaka has already won a lot – including four Grand Slam tournaments – and the sympathies of numerous fans for whom she is a role model. Before the game against Kudermetova in Indian Wells, Osaka said: “I’m very clear with myself right now. It’s a nice feeling.” A feeling that will hopefully not disappear with a malicious heckling.
(SID)
Nadal turns 2: 5 in the third set and prevents bankruptcy at the start
ATP Miami
Nadal makes surprising decision: no fight against final curse
16 HOURS AGO
WTA Indian Wells
Great liberation: Kerber celebrates its first win this year
YESTERDAY AT 08:51