John McEnroes' comments revealed that many media members don't know how to talk about mental illness. Getty Images ImageAnyone who is involved in tennis coverage will need to be able to speak about it again. That's not the only story in the news right now, as Naomi Osaka brought mental health, depression and anxiety to the forefront. Because tennis is an individual sport, there are no IL lists to hide oneself or give out PR talk from the manager or GM. However, the media can be directed to other players in the team to discuss any other stories. You are the only one on the court and everyone else can see you when you're not there.AdvertisementYesterday, John McEnroe was there with his comments on Emma Raducanu. McEnroe is a good commentator. However, he has Charles Barkley Syndrome. He was much more skilled a few years back and can now skate by his name and past performances. It's difficult to not relate to your playing days when you are as good as McEnroe.It's a shame. It's a terrible thing for Emma. He said that it seemed like things have gotten too much. This makes it difficult to see the men and women who have been around so long and asks how they manage it. I hope she learns from this experience. It's not a bad thing that this happened to her at 18, but it is unfortunate. At 18, I participated in this tournament and, in a way, I was glad I lost. It was easy for me to see what it would take. Let her take deep breaths, and perhaps get some wildcards.McEnroes' comments were a bit too focused on the women are too emotional group. This kind of ignored that Raducanu was a child and that this sport has already eaten up children. Although McEnroes has made some efforts to prevent children from becoming burnt out while on tour, that doesn't mean it won't happen.Broadcasters need to be more careful than just guessing about the medical condition of an athlete, unless it is obvious. If someone falls on their knees, it is likely that they have suffered a knee injury. It wasn't clear with Raducanu, and it could have been many things. McEnroe simply wanted to state that it was an anxiety- or stress-related condition.McEnroe is not the only one who doesn't know how to talk about such things. McEnroe, and many others, feel the need to talk about this as a new concept. It is something that this generation doesn't really get. Only thing that is new about this issue is the fact that we now know more about it. McEnroes' day was not the first time that mental health problems were being discussed in sports. There were likely many players who had no one to talk with, no place to go, and probably didnt know that they existed. They had to persevere, even when it was difficult. We will never know how many careers were affected or derailed by that over the years.Broadcasters will have to be able to discuss it now and not dismiss it as a weakness for the generations after them. This only poisons the water around these players, and that's where no one wins. This is especially true when we are talking about teenagers suddenly thrust onto the national scene, like Raducanu in Britain. He was the last Brit to draw. Although we are now able to see the magnitude of such things, there is still much to do.
