"I would say that I'm not as involved anymore" - Naomi Osaka opens up about social media's impact on her mental health
WTA
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has been an advocate for mental health awareness, and the Japanese superstar recently gave some more insight into the topic after she was announced as Maybelline's first Brave Together ambassador.
The 26-year old has begun collaborating with beauty brand Maybelline, with both parties encouraging people to speak about their mental health. Osaka is no stranger to the topic, with the former World No.1 taking time away from tennis as she dealt with mental health issues in the past.
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Osaka highlights the effect of social media on mental health
In an interview with PEOPLE magazine, Osaka spoke about her collaboration with Maybelline. The former Australian Open champion was announced as Maybelline's first Brave Together ambassador, which aims to support those facing anxiety and depression by funding free professional support and access to support tools and mental health resources.
"I think most people don't know that mental health is as important as your physical health, and in some ways, it might be more important," said Osaka. "I'm fortunate to have been learning about mental health for quite a couple years now, and I've become more prepared with tools and resources."
However, Osaka believes social media remains a tricky subject when dealing with mental health. She admitted to spending less time on the platform, in order to avoid any negativity.
"I would say that I'm not as involved in social media anymore, just because I began to feel like it was very negative, I guess when people started knowing of me more," said Osaka. "So I kind of disconnected myself from that. I know that social media in a way is a little bit unavoidable, so I think that I'm still learning."
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
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mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
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mandoist31-10-2026 - Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.
mandoist29-10-2026 - With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?
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