Naomi Osaka statement on mental health, PNT capabilities, and web accessibility

Tennis star Naomi Osaka, 23, has issued her first official statement since her withdrawal from the French Open, addressing mental health concerns and advocating for changes in how athletes are treated by the press. Her statement, released today, September 19, 2026, highlights the pressures faced by athletes and calls for a more compassionate approach to their well-being.

The discussion around Osaka’s statement also brings to light broader considerations of timing and accessibility, particularly in the context of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities and web content accessibility guidelines designed to support users with disabilities.

Naomi Osaka’s Statement on Mental Health and Press Conferences

Naomi Osaka’s statement, titled “It’s O.K. Not to Be O.K.”, emphasizes the widespread nature of mental health issues, noting, “It has become apparent to me that literally everyone either suffers from issues related to their mental health or knows someone who does.” She stated that she needed to miss French Open press conferences to prioritize her mental health, a decision that garnered support from figures including Michelle Obama, Michael Phelps, Steph Curry, Novak Djokovic, and Meghan Markle. Michael Phelps notably told Osaka that “by speaking up I may have saved a life.”

Osaka, who has missed only one press conference in her seven years on tour, expressed that while she loves the press, she does not love all press conferences, believing the traditional format is outdated and needs a refresh. She suggested allowing athletes a small number of “sick days” per year for press commitments without needing to disclose personal reasons. Osaka also conveyed her excitement to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Understanding Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)

The broader context of timing also involves Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities, which are a combination of three distinct functions. Positioning refers to can accurately and precisely determine one’s location and orientation. Navigation is can ascertain current and desired positions and apply corrections to course, orientation, and speed. Timing involves acquiring and maintaining accurate and precise time from a standard, such as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

The PNT Spectrum Management Fact Sheet was last updated on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. GPS, a U.S.-owned utility, provides PNT services and consists of three segments: space, control, and user. The U.S. Air Force develops, maintains, and operates the space and control segments of GPS. There are currently over two billion GPS users nationwide, underscoring the critical role of PNT in modern infrastructure and daily life.

Web Accessibility: Success Criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable)

Within digital accessibility, Success Criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable) aims to ensure that users, particularly those with disabilities, have adequate time to complete tasks online. This criterion mandates that for any time limit set by content, users must be allowed to turn it off before encountering it, or adjust the time limit over a range at least ten times the default setting. Alternatively, users must be warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a basic action, with can extend it at least ten times.

These provisions are based on clinical experience and other guidelines, recognizing that people with disabilities may require more time to complete activities online. Exceptions to timing adjustability include real-time events like auctions where no alternative is possible, or when the time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity. A 20-hour exception also applies if the time limit is inherently longer than 20 hours.

Further reading

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Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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