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Tennis star Naomi Osaka praised NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo’s viral answer to a reporter’s question about failure, calling the response life-changing.
After the no. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the no. 8 Miami Heat, a reporter asked Bucks player Antetokounmpo if he considered the season a failure.
“You asked me the same question last year, Eric. Okay. Do you get a promotion every year on your job? No, right, so every year you work is a failure? Yes or no? No. Every year you work, you work towards something. Towards a goal, right? Which is to get a promotion, to be able to take care of your family,” Antetokounmpo replied according to Tennis 365.
“It’s not a failure, it’s steps to success. Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships, the other nine years, was it failure? That’s what you’re telling me? It’s a wrong question. There is no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days. Some days you’re able to be successful, some days you’re not,” he added.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, inspired millions when she withdrew from a tournament to look after her own mental health. According to Tennis World USA, she praised Antetokounmpo’s comments on Instagram.
“This is probably the most refreshing perspective I’ve heard. I think it changed my life, lol,” she wrote on her Instagram story.
The 25-year-old is currently expecting her first child. While she is away from the court she has been working on other projects like her media company, Hana Kuma. The company recently raised $5 million in a fundraising round, Essence reports.
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