Last week Naomi Osaka announced that she wouldn’t be doing press during the French Open in order to cater to her mental health, and on Sunday she kept her word as she made the decision to not participate in a press conference following her first-round win.
As a result, she received a $15,000 fine, and Monday, she announced her decision to withdraw from the French Open.
While some have criticized Naomi for her decision, she has also received support from all over. One person to show their support for Naomi was Serena Williams.
While speaking to the press she said, “I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like, like I said I’ve been in those positions. Not everyone is the same. We have different personalities. I’m thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently. You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to and the best way she thinks she can. That’s the only thing I can say: I think she is doing the best she can.”
As previously reported, Naomi said in her statement on Monday, “I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players, and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. I never wanted to be a distraction, and I accept that my timing was not ideal and the message could have been clearer.”
Prior to her start in the tournament, she issued a warning about her decision to not participate in the press conferences as she acknowledged she has witnessed the effects it has had on other players as well as herself.
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TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94