Hamilton backs tennis star Osaka - "Mental health is not a joke"

Lewis Hamilton has offered his support to Naomi Osaka after the Japanese tennis star withdrew from the French Open to protect her mental health.

Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam winner, twice victorious in both the Australian and US Open tournaments.

After winning her first match, Osaka was fined $15,000 [£10,570] for failing to complete her media obligations with the organisers threatening to expel her from the competition should she continue to avoid the media.

On Monday, one day after her initial victory, Osaka withdrew from the competition and revealed she had suffered "suffered long bouts of depression" since winning her first Grand Slam title in 2018.

Sharing Osaka's story on social media, seven-time F1 champion Hamilton said: "Mental health is not a joke, this is real and serious.

"This takes a lot of courage to do. Let's all make sure Naomi knows she's not alone.

"Today is a good day to check and ask your friends and loved ones how they are doing and let them know they are not alone."

Mental health is not a joke, this is real and serious. This takes a lot of courage to do. Let's all make sure Naomi knows she's not alone. Today is a good day to check and ask your friends and loved ones how they are doing and let them know they are not alone. https://t.co/2ytC6k1hHd

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 1, 2021

Time for "meaningful improvements" in protecting mental health

Over the past year in particular, sport has attempted to better understand the struggles associated with mental health problems.

In the F1 paddock, the topic has been tackled head-on by McLaren and its mental health charity partner Mind with Lando Norris at the forefront of the discussions.

Reacting to Osaka's withdrawal, the Grand Slams issued a statement declaring changes would be made to better protect the players.

The statement read: "While players' wellbeing has always been a priority to the Grand Slams, our intention, together with the WTA, the ATP and the ITF, is to advance mental health and wellbeing through further actions," it added.

"Together as a community we will continue to improve the player experience at our tournaments, including as it relates to media.

"Change should come through the lens of maintaining a fair playing field, regardless of ranking or status. Sport requires rules and regulations to ensure that no player has an unfair advantage over another.

"We intend to work alongside the players, the tours, the media and the broader tennis community to create meaningful improvements."

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