"Allow a small number of 'sick days'" - Naomi Osaka on changes in modern tennis

Naomi Osaka has become a very outspoken athlete on the issue of mental health ever since sharing her own struggles with the matter.

Osaka flew into the spotlight when she announced that she would be skipping press conferences at Roland Garros. The news was not well received by Tennis institutions and after getting a fine for skipping her 1st round one she pulled out of the event. She skipped over Wimbledon for the same reason but she will return at the Olympic Games.

It was later announced Osaka would not be forced to hold press conferences at the Olympics which might have played a role in her participation. In an essay written for Time Magazine she wrote:

“There can be moments for any of us where we are dealing with issues behind the scenes. Each of us as humans is going through something on some level."

She further wrote about her proposition regarding changes in tennis:

“I have numerous suggestions to offer the tennis hierarchy, but my No 1 suggestion would be to allow a small number of ‘sick days’ per year where you are excused from your press commitments without having to disclose your personal reasons. I believe this would bring sport in line with the rest of society."

The proposition is an interesting one and one that should not be dismissed lightly. Mental health has become a prominent topic in many circles of society and it's a real thing affecting many.

She finished off her proposition by saying:

“In any other line of work, you would be forgiven for taking a personal day here and there, so long as it’s not habitual. You wouldn’t have to divulge your most personal symptoms to your employer; there would likely be HR measures protecting at least some level of privacy.”

She added: “In my opinion (and I want to say that this is just my opinion and not that of every tennis player on tour), the press-conference format itself is out of date and in great need of a refresh."