The meditation app Calm announced they would pay any Grand Slam tennis player’s fines if they chose to skip a media event due to their mental health. In addition, they would match the price with a donation to the French youth sports charity Laureus Sport for Good.
What We Know:
- Calm’s decision comes after tennis star Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open. Last week, Osaka declared she would not attend any press conferences during the tournament; she cited her mental health, as well as those of other athletes, only worsened when participating in these interviews.
- Executives of all four Grand Slams (The US Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon) punished Osaka for skipping a press conference by fining her $15,000. They also threatened to disqualify her. Osaka responded to their actions on Monday, announcing on Twitter she would withdraw from the competition to prioritize improving her depression.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021
- After word of Osaka’s exit came out, Calm declared on Twitter they would show their support monetarily.
Mental health is health. 🎾
To support Naomi Osaka’s decision to prioritize her mental health, Calm is donating $15,000 to @LaureusSport in France, an organization doing incredible work in the mental health space to transform the lives of young people through the power of sport. pic.twitter.com/C53ptXsks5
— Calm (@calm) June 2, 2021
- In addition to paying the fines, Calm’s contribution to Laureus Sport for Good will provide funds to support 200 sports programs in more than 40 countries.
But this is bigger than any individual player.
Calm will also pay the fine for players opting out of 2021 Grand Slam media appearances for mental health reasons, and we will match the fine with a $15,000 donation to @LaureusSport.#MentalHealthIsHealth 🧠
— Calm (@calm) June 2, 2021
- Osaka’s withdrawal reignited a conversation about balancing professional athletes’ mental health with sports journalists’ needs. Sports legends such as Michael Phelps and Lewis Hamilton congratulated her for taking such a brave step. Phelps told CNN he was “saddened” by the backlash Osaka received, especially after showing such vulnerability. Hamilton said what she did took “a lot of courage,” and urged his Twitter followers to let her know they stand by her.
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
After Osaka’s departure, Grand Slam leaders published a statement on Tuesday in which they commended the tennis player for taking time away from the court. They also declared they would begin prioritizing and addressing the mental health concerns of athletes.
