For the first time, a Grand Slam tournament will provide players with mental health professionals.
- This program follows recent statements from players, including Naomi Osaka, who are worried about their mental health.
- Quiet rooms and other support services will be provided in addition to mental health professionals.
One step forward. This Monday begins the US Open, the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments that mark the tennis season. This Wednesday, the American Tennis Federation (USTA), organizer of the New York tournament, announced the establishment of various medical services “aimed at providing players with the best possible mental health support“, she said in a press release. This is the first time that the organizer of a Grand Slam tournament has implemented this type of system.
Mental health is health.
The USTA’s new Mental Health Initiative will ensure that a holistic approach is taken with all aspects of player health, including mental health. #BeOpen
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 24, 2021
Naomi Osaka, the pioneer
The development of this program to provide mental health support to players follows recent reports from players complaining of mental health issues. In the front row is American Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the Roland Garros tournament last June to preserve her sanity. “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m an introvert, and anyone who’s seen me at tournaments will have noticed that I often wear headphones as it helps ease my social anxiety.“, she had justified on her Twitter page. Behind her, other players like Frenchman Benoît Paire and Austrian Dominic Thiem showed similar unrest.
“The tournament medical services program will include licensed mental health service providers available to players for the duration of the tournament. In addition, rest rooms and other support services will be providedsays the USTA. The US Open will work closely with the WTA Women’s and Men’s ATP Tour scientific and medical staff onsite to ensure players understand the medical services available and how to access these health offerings if needed..”
Do not stigmatize
The objective of the organizers is to treat mental disorders on the same level as other health problems. “Our goal is to make mental health services as accessible to athletes as treatment for a sprained ankle.. And that, without being stigmatized”, explained to The Team Dr. Brian Hainline, professor of neurology and first vice‐president of the American Federation.
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