Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis and wider sporting world when she chose to withdraw from the French Open. The bold decision came on the heels of being fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion by the tournament’s officials, after Osaka announced she would not participate in press conferences during the tournament. A decision she said was taken to protect her mental well-being after suffering from bouts of anxiety and depression since her first Grand Slam win in 2018.

The remarkable decision to withdraw rather than face what many believe to be “a part of the job” coupled with the punitive response by the French Open officials has raised the issue of mental health in sports.

Is the treatment of mental health challenges in sports still leagues behind the treatment of physical injuries?

Physical injuries are considered a staple within sports. Athletic organizations have systems in place dedicated to rehabilitating and preventing physical injuries. From expert physiotherapists and state of the art facilities, an athlete’s physical health is treated with the utmost regard. Leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) have implemented further measures to avoid injuries before they occur. Known as “DNP-Rest”, this recent feature within the basketball league allows a healthy player to sit out games in order to properly rest and avoid injuries.

When an elite athlete suffers a physical injury there is a rehabilitation process involved to bring them back to peak condition. Although the process varies across sporting organizations, injuries generally involve diagnosis, treatment, and recovery plans. The injured athlete receives a range of support; care is provided by coaches, physicians, physiotherapists, and other training staff. At the end of recovery, the athlete must be cleared by a professional before they can return. Although sports and fitness experts have placed emphasis on the importance of psychology and mental strength in rehabilitating physical injuries, mental health issues of athletes usually do not receive the same meticulous attention paid to the athletes’ physical condition.

Athletes seldomly address mental health struggles because of the stigma attached.

Mental health issues affect up to 35% of professional athletes, at the collegiate level, nearly 25% of athletes report struggling with mental challenges. Although statistics show that athletes may be more likely to struggle with mental health, the significant rate at which athletes are affected out paces the rate at which treatment is sought and resources are available.

Unlike recuperating from a physical injury, when faced with mental health challenges, athletes are usually charged with the responsibility of recovering. They are normally expected to handle the scrutiny, pressure to perform and intense schedules with resilience and determination.

A step in the right direction.

In a field where the number one barrier to mental wellbeing is the stigma associated with expressing mental struggles, Osaka’s stance can not only be regarded as courageous, but also a positive step in the right direction of shedding light on mental challenges. In recent years, with other athletes such as Serena Williams, Michael Phelps and Kevin Love becoming more vocal about their mental health struggles, the importance of mental well-being in the sporting arena has garnered more attention.

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Progressive moves by some sporting organizations, such as the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Major League Baseball (MLB) and the NBA, who have employed mental health professionals and implemented mental wellness programs, suggest that athletes’ mental health issues are finally being given the necessary attention and support.