Tennis star Naomi Osaka took some time off to focus on her mental health, but now she is ready to get back out on the court just in time for the Summer Olympics.
According to Elite Daily, Osaka’s agent said she “will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans” in a text message to the New York Times. She was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father and moved to the United States at three. The Japanese player is excited to be competing under her home country’s flag.
“I think it would take some time to fully sink in, but to be able to win a gold on my country’s soil, knowing the youngest generation is watching — it makes me emotional to know I have the opportunity to make an entire generation inspired and an entire country proud,” Osaka told Business Insider.
After the first round of the French Open in May, Osaka missed a mandatory press conference, receiving a $15,000 fine. Soon after, she withdrew from the competition, citing mental health concerns. She opened about her struggles with depression and anxiety on social media, saying she would be taking some time off from tennis.
The tennis star also withdrew from Wimbledon but is focused on the Tokyo Olympics.
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