"We're trained to never show weakness" - Retired pro Mardy Fish relates to Osaka as he recalls withdrawing from Federer match

Former tennis professional Mardy Fish opened up about his struggles with mental health, citing when he was forced to withdraw from a US Open fourth round match in 2012 against Roger Federer due to anxiety.

In an interview with The New York Times, the American recalled sobbing in his car with his wife, Stacey, before his bout against Federer and deciding that he could not compete in the match.

“It was just crazy anxiety, crazy, crazy, just how am I going to walk out on this court?” said Fish. “But it never, never would have crossed my mind, if my wife wasn’t there with me, that I wouldn’t play. We’re so trained to never show weakness, never show fear, to the other side of the court. But my wife saying, ‘Well, you don’t have to play’ — that part right there was like, right away, just instantly, I felt better, like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

Fish is now a mentor to younger tennis professionals who are dealing with mental health issues, and empathized with Naomi Osaka when the Japanese superstar tearfully announced that she was unsure of when she would return to tennis following her third round loss to Leylah Fernandez at the 2021 US Open.

“I would tell her, do whatever makes you happy,” Fish said. “She doesn’t have to hit another tennis ball the rest of her life, and if that makes her happy, that’s what she should do.

"I think she would regret that, but it’s whatever makes her want to get up in the morning and be happy. And whatever she’s been doing for the last couple months, or however long it’s been, is not doing that for her right now. So hopefully she finds peace and comfort.”