New York City, September 8, 2023 – On the 10th day of the 2023 US Open, a groundbreaking mental health forum titled “Mental Health and Sport: Why it Matters” brought together prominent voices in sports and healthcare to discuss the critical role of mental well-being in athletics and society. The panel featured tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Brian Hainline, President and Chairman of the Board of the USTA.
The engaging discussion encompassed various facets of mental health, including resilience, isolation, advocacy, transparency, and the impact of social media on mental well-being. Both Phelps and Osaka candidly shared their personal strategies for self-care and their aspirations for the future.
Osaka, a two-time US Open singles champion, and Phelps, a remarkable 23-time Olympic gold medalist, have emerged as vocal advocates for mental health awareness in sports and society at large. Dr. Brian Hainline, a medical researcher and the Chief Medical Officer for the NCAA, expressed his passionate commitment to the cause and the idea that sport should play a pivotal role in advocating for mental healthcare without stigma, both on and off the field.
Hainline stated, “It means the world to me, but more importantly, it goes back to the US Open and sport taking an ethical responsibility that sport is such an important forum.” He underscored the importance of sport as a positive agent of change, echoing the sentiments of Nelson Mandela, who believed in the transformative power of sports.
Naomi Osaka praised the US Open and the sport of tennis for their progressive approach to addressing mental health issues and dismantling the associated stigma. She commended the WTA and tournaments for their significant strides in this area and highlighted the normalcy of athletes like Iga Swiatek traveling with sports psychologists to prioritize mental health as a critical element of performance.
“I have seen tennis grow so much in the mental health aspect, something that I’m really proud of, and the US Open has always been super innovative in that way, too,” stated the former world No. 1. “For me, I just want it to be less of a taboo subject. I still feel like there’s a really big stigma against mental health. I think that more people should know that there are so many benefits to just talking about what you’re going through and learning different skills.”
Osaka, who last competed at the WTA 500 event in Tokyo in September the previous year and welcomed a daughter this summer, confirmed her return for the 2024 Australian Open. She shared that her hiatus from tennis has deepened her love for the sport, and she is now contemplating a career longevity comparable to icons like Serena and Venus Williams.
Michael Phelps, whose own battle with mental health issues began after the 2004 Olympics, candidly discussed his journey. He revealed that he initially suppressed his feelings but reached a breaking point in 2014, prompting him to seek help despite the associated stigma. Phelps outlined his strategies for self-care, including reaching out to friends for support, actively engaging in conversations, and not repressing emotions. He stressed the importance of accessible mental healthcare to prevent the rising suicide rates and emphasized his commitment to reducing this alarming trend.
“I think we have come a long way in the last 10 years, but I also think people, everybody, human beings, need to get the help and care they need,” Phelps stated. “I don’t think everybody has that opportunity, so we see the suicide rate continue to fly up. I want that to stop. My number one mission is to try to lower that thing. Saving a life for me is way more important than ever winning an Olympic gold medal.”
The compelling dialogue at the 2023 US Open highlighted the significance of mental health in sports and society and underscored the collective commitment to removing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
