The ongoing narrative surrounding Naomi Osaka’s mental health has been a prominent topic in the tennis world, a conversation that her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has recently contributed to with thoughtful insights. For Mouratoglou, the issue isn’t necessarily a persistent problem in the present, but rather a profound consequence of a past phenomenon: Osaka’s unprecedented and rapid ascent to superstardom.
Mouratoglou, widely recognized for his successful tenure with Serena Williams, wasn’t by Osaka’s side when she first publicly grappled with her mental health struggles. However, he offers a clear perspective on their genesis. “I was not with Naomi when she had this mental health issue,” Mouratoglou stated during a recent episode of “Game Changers with Molly Fletcher.” Yet, he believes he understands the root cause: “I think I know what happened. I think she was not ready for success because it came very fast.”
Osaka’s rise was undeniably meteoric. Before turning 24, she had already captured four Grand Slam titles, dismantling tennis legends like Serena Williams along the way. Her seemingly calm and composed demeanor on court, coupled with her quiet strength, quickly endeared her to fans and established her as an instant icon. However, as Mouratoglou suggests, beneath that tranquil exterior, the psychological toll of her sudden and overwhelming success was quietly accumulating.
The pressure on top athletes, Mouratoglou emphasizes, is immense and often underestimated by the public. “People don’t realize what those athletes, the kind of pressure they’re under,” he explained. “Even if you’re number one in the world, you don’t have the ‘right to fail’ anymore.” This constant scrutiny and the expectation of perfection create an incredibly challenging environment. “Every play if you don’t win it. I mean, the press, the people, everybody’s going to say, ‘Oh, what’s the problem? Something’s wrong. Oh, maybe it’s the start of something bad.’ So, you live with that every day, there is nothing more difficult to handle than not having the right to lose.”
This relentless pressure, according to Mouratoglou, is what can ultimately “kill you” if you’re not adequately prepared to handle it. “This is extremely difficult, and if you’re not ready when this pressure comes, you can’t handle it and it can kill you. And I think she struggled a lot because of that, because she was not ready.” His assessment paints a picture of a young athlete thrust into a global spotlight without the necessary psychological infrastructure to navigate such an intense level of fame and expectation.
Now, under Mouratoglou’s guidance, Osaka is embarking on a carefully orchestrated return to the sport. Her comeback, initiated after taking a 15-month maternity leave, has been marked by both promise and persistent injury setbacks. Despite facing “five months of injuries out of the eight” since her return, Mouratoglou notes a positive trend: “but she’s playing better and better.” Her recent victory at L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, her first title since the 2021 Australian Open, and her commendable streak of eight consecutive wins on clay, a surface she once considered her weakest, are clear indicators of her progress.
Mouratoglou’s approach to coaching Osaka extends beyond technical adjustments; it encompasses a deep understanding of her past struggles and a commitment to providing the necessary support. He emphasizes the importance of understanding his players on a fundamental level, recognizing that mental well-being is intrinsically linked to on-court performance. As Osaka prepares for the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, the hope is that her renewed focus and Mouratoglou’s strategic guidance will help her navigate the mental demands of elite competition more effectively. Her journey is not merely about reclaiming titles, but also about solidifying her mental resilience in the face of the immense pressures that come with being a top-tier athlete.
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