It's Okay to be Not Okay: An Analysis of Twitter Responses to Naomi Osaka's Withdrawal due to Mental Health Concerns.

This article examines public reactions on Twitter to professional tennis player Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the 2021 French Open due to mental health concerns, focusing on how different Twitter sources (athletes’ own accounts versus sports media outlets) shape audience responses. Using thematic and sentiment analysis on over 5,500 tweets and replies, the study identified five main themes: debates over athletes’ media obligations, the importance of mental health, hope for positive change, appreciation for Osaka’s courage, and support for her decision. Results showed generally positive sentiment toward Osaka’s mental health disclosure, with more empathetic and supportive responses occurring when messages came directly from athletes’ accounts, highlighting the role of parasocial interaction in shaping public discourse. The findings suggest that athletes’ use of social media to share personal struggles can effectively promote mental health advocacy and influence conversations around athlete activism and workplace mental health policies.