“It feels very taboo to talk about this”: Naomi Osaka involved in bold movie on abuse in tennis

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has opened up about her role as executive producer of the Belgian film Julie Keeps Quiet. In an interview with journalist Ben Rothenberg, the four-time Grand Slam champion reflected on institutional silence in sports and her personal connection to the story portrayed in the film.

Directed by Leonardo Van Dijl, the movie follows Julie, a young tennis player who faces pressure to speak up after her coach is suspended amid an abuse investigation, triggered by the suicide of a former teammate.

Osaka was drawn to the project due to its sensitive subject matter and its realistic portrayal of tennis. She praised the authenticity of the sports scenes, noting that lead actress Tessa Van den Broeck is a former junior player, which added credibility to the film. More importantly, the film highlights how young athletes often feel torn between reporting abuse and protecting their careers — a dilemma that resonates with Osaka’s own experiences on tour.

“I feel like it draws attention to—I don't want to say ‘worlds’—but it draws attention to things that people can't really see in the spotlight. And not insinuating anything, but I feel like it really humanizes the world of tennis, in a way,” Osaka told Rothenberg.

Despite her ongoing advocacy for mental health and athlete well-being, Osaka admitted that the topics addressed in the film — abuse and institutional complicity — remain difficult to discuss openly. Her involvement in Julie Keeps Quiet reflects her desire to shed light on these issues and spark important conversations in the world of sport.

“Well, honestly, very transparently, I do know when I was growing up there were quite a few stories,” Osaka shared. “And you just kind of know it, in your head. But I'm very aware that, like, people outside of tennis don't know it, and it's kind of shocking to them. But I grew up just very grateful that my parents were always around and protecting me. Because I think it is very easy to be taken advantage.”

“It feels, like, very taboo to talk about this. But I don't know, like, why it is taboo? But I wouldn't say it's local; of course, there are, like, a couple stories here and there. But I would say it was more mainly when I got on tour. Like, you just hear things about people.”

The film has already received critical acclaim at international festivals, including Cannes, and was Belgium’s official submission for the Oscars. North American distribution is being handled by Film Movement, with a release scheduled for early 2025. Osaka hopes the film will inspire others to question power dynamics in sport and support those who choose to speak out.