Naomi Osaka's Brave Battle with Postpartum Depression: An Emotional Journey
Naomi Osaka Reveals Dark Secret: How Motherhood Almost Destroyed Her Mental Health
In a shocking revelation, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has opened up about her tumultuous journey into motherhood and how it almost consumed her mental health. The four-time Grand Slam champion welcomed her adorable two-year-old daughter Shai in July 2023 with ex-boyfriend Cordae, the rapper.
But what nobody knew was that behind closed doors, Osaka was struggling to cope with the aftermath of childbirth. In an upcoming documentary, "Naomi Osaka: The Second Set," she candidly shares her harrowing experience with postpartum depression (PPD).
"I had extremely bad postpartum [depression], and I didn't know how to deal with it that well," Osaka confessed in a clip from the documentary, where she reveals notes she wrote about her struggle. "I like to write things, but also I don't like to say things out loud because I'm an emotional person and sometimes it'll make me cry."
In a heart-wrenching account, Osaka describes how motherhood made her feel like a shell of herself. "Prior to giving birth, a bunch of different people had told me about postpartum," she shares in the documentary. "But truthfully, I had thought that since I was so aware of it, I could somehow avoid the symptoms altogether."
But the harsh reality was far from what she expected. Osaka recounts how she felt disconnected from the world around her, stuck in a perpetual state of grayness while others seemed to be living in vibrant color.
"It felt like everyone else had moved on and they were living in color," she said. "Meanwhile, my world was stuck in gray."
This candid revelation comes as a surprise to fans who thought Osaka's pregnancy would bring an end to her illustrious tennis career. But the determined athlete confided that even before Shai's arrival, she contemplated calling it quits.
"I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis," Osaka revealed in an interview with People at a private screening for "The Second Set" in New York City. The event took place just weeks ahead of the US Open in Queens, where Osaka is set to compete next week.
However, pregnancy brought out an unexpected side of Osaka - inspiration. She found herself feeling more driven than ever to continue competing, with her baby girl serving as her muse.
"I also wanted my daughter to be able to see me play tennis," Osaka shared. "It was such a big part of my life and I feel like she doesn't know it, but she definitely inspired me to continue."
Just one week after giving birth, Osaka returned to training, demonstrating her trademark grit and determination. As she prepares for the US Open next week, fans can expect nothing less from this tennis powerhouse.
Osaka has been seeded 23rd in the main draw and is set to face Belgian Greet Minnen in the first round. While it's anyone's guess how this will play out, one thing is certain - Osaka's unbreakable spirit will carry her through even the most trying of times.
Last year's US Open was a disappointing experience for Osaka, who suffered an early exit at the hands of Karolina Muchova in the second round. But this time around, she'll be facing stiff competition from top seed Coco Gauff in the same section.
As Osaka readies herself to take on the best of tennis once again, fans are left wondering what the future holds for this resilient athlete and devoted mother. Will she emerge victorious at the US Open? Only time will tell.