Tennis star Naomi Osaka has decided to withdraw from the French Open, prioritizing her mental health. (Open in new tab).

She continued, "I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and that my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly. In fact, I have suffered long bouts of depression since the 2018 U.S. Open and have really struggled to cope with it."

Osaka is referring to her original May 26 statement in which she announced that she would not participate in press conferences during the French Open. In that statement, she referred to the tournament's mandatory rules regarding press conferences and how they affect the mental health of the players.

"I just have to laugh if the organization thinks they can keep saying 'do the press or we'll fine you' and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes who are at the heart of their cooperation," she wrote (opens in new tab).

"Anyway, I hope the substantial amount fined for this will be donated to a mental health charity."

When Osaka's statement was released, celebrities, athletes, and politicians praised the 23-year-old for setting boundaries and paving the way for others who struggle with societal pressures to prioritize career over mental health.

On the final day of Mental Health Awareness Month, Osaka could not have set a better example.