Head Out Of The Game: Athletes, The Press, And Mental Health

Naomi Osaka, the No. 2 female tennis player in the world, withdrew from the French Open citing her struggles with depression and anxiety. Her withdrawal came after she announced she wouldn't be speaking to the press, a requirement for professional athletes. Osaka's decision — and the mixed response that's followed it — has ignited a conversation about mental health in sports, specifically among Black female athletes. It's also brought attention to the strange relationship between athletes and the sports press. How should athletes prioritize their mental health? And what responsibilities do those who administrate sports have to help them do so?We get to all this and more. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.