Tennis ace Naomi Osaka is putting herself ahead of any ambitions she may have in sport after a difficult period of her career battling mental health issues.
The former world No. 1 took a hiatus from the court in 2021 following her highly publicised withdrawal from the French Open. Osaka, 25, enjoyed a resurgence this year, however, and has appeared to be in cheerier spirits as she sits 42nd in the WTA rankings.
"I've just always been taught to stick it out or work through it," she told The Late Show host Stephen Colbert. "And I think that is a very valuable lesson because it has got me through a lot of things in my life.
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"But there was just a point where I thought to myself: 'Why?' And not in a negative way, but if I am feeling this way, why should I keep pushing through when I can confront it and fix it, and then continue on my journey? Does that make sense?"
While her exit from Roland Garros last year was criticised in some circles, mental health advocates widely praised Osaka for prioritising her mental health above all else. And rightly so, many would agree, given the four-time Grand Slam champion surged to success so early in her career and still has many years left to compete.
When asked if other athletes had also been inspired by her actions, Osaka affirmed her peers have expressed gratitude for her taking a stand. She told Colbert there were "so many athletes" whom she looks up to that approached her at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to praise her actions.
Osaka hasn't featured in a WTA event since the Pan Pacific Open was held in Tokyo in late September. Illness forced the Japanese star to withdraw prior to her last-16 match-up with Beatriz Haddad Maia, which came shortly after she suffered a first-round exit against Danielle Collins at the U.S. Open.
The two-time Australian Open winner is back in the draw to compete in Melbourne early next year. It was only in 2021 that Osaka won the last of those trophies Down Under, though much has changed both for her and women's tennis since then.
"I wouldn't have wanted it any other way," she recently told Good Morning America when asked about her mental health hiatus. Having built herself back up following that ordeal, Osaka will hope 2023 is the year that propels her back to the tennis peak.
