Naomi Osaka competes at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on March 29. File photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
May 31 (UPI) -- Japanese women's tennis star Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open Monday amid a controversy over her reluctance to attend press conferences due to her stated mental health concerns.
The second-seeded Osaka, who was scheduled to face Ana Bogdan following Sunday's first-round victory over Patricia Maria Tig, said in a statement posted to her Twitter account that it was "the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being" to withdraw.
Speaking of her decision last week to skip mandatory skip press conferences during Roland Garros because of what she called the media's disregard of athletes' "mental health," the Osaka wrote she recognized her move has taken the focus off the tennis being played in Paris.
"I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer," she stated. "More importantly I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly."
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In her original statement issued Wednesday, the 23-year-old star said she would not be conducting any press interviews during the tournament.
"We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me," she wrote.
Osaka said she expected to be fined for her actions, and after skipping the press conference following Sunday's win over Tig, the four Grand Slam tournaments indeed announced she would face a $15,000 penalty.
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On Monday, Osaka stated her reluctance to engage in press interviews stems from acute social anxiety and is not meant personally.
The four-time Grand Slam tourney winner wrote she has suffered from "long bouts of depression" since the 2018 US Open final, when she defeated Serena Williams in a controversial match during which her opponent received a game penalty.
"Anyone that knows me knows I'm introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I'm often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety," Osaka wrote.
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She apologized to some journalists and wrote of experiencing "huge waves of anxiety" before speaking with the media.
"So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self‑care and skip the press conferences," she stated. "I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.
"I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the slams are intense."
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Naomi Osaka Receives Support From Steph Curry, AOC After Withdrawing From French Open Over Mental Health Concerns
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka received support from prominent athletes and politicians following her withdrawal from the French Open due to mental health concerns.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, announced her departure from the tournament on Monday, noting that she will also be taking “some time away from the court.”
She explained that the required press interviews stressed her, and that she gets “huge waves of anxiety” before speaking “to the world’s media.” Osaka announced last Wednesday that she would not be doing press at the French Open, because she believes it to be harmful to athletes’ mental health.
On Sunday, she was fined $15,000 over her refusal to speak to the media, which the French Open said was a breach of contract.
Several athletes expressed support for Osaka’s decision to prioritize her mental health.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry wrote on Twitter that he had “major respect” for her announcement.
“You shouldn’t ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own,” Curry said.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant chimed in as well, writing “we with you” to Osaka.
Osaka received support from NFL players as well, with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson similarly writing “We are with you… #Courage.”
“I support you Naomi,” wrote Tyler Lockett, a wide receiver for the Seahawks.
“As human beings we have to do better at supporting each other,” Lockett said. “Mental health is real. And to fine a person for trying to protect their peace is not giving somebody a safe place to be a persons best self.”
Politicians also offered words of support to Osaka on Monday.
“Proud of you,” wrote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro (D) tweeted that Osaka could “spark needed changes” in post-game press conferences and commended her for “revealing as she has been about her mental health.”
“A post-game press conference is often qualitatively different from other press events,” Castro wrote. “The questions center a lot on the athlete’s psychology. Politicians or others don’t often get probed like that. So Osaka’s connection between this experience and her mental health rings true.”
He later added, “I hope it will inspire sports organizations and the sports journalism industry to show maturity as well—make positive changes. It’s past time.”
In response to Osaka’s withdrawal, the French Open released a statement Monday saying they “wish her the best and quickest possible recovery.” They added that they “remain very committed to all athletes’ well-being and to continually improving every aspect of players’ experience in our Tournament, including with the Media, like we have always strived to do.”
Serena Williams has sent a message of support for Naomi Osaka after the young tennis star decided to withdraw from the 2021 French Open.
Naomi previously announced that she wouldn’t be doing press at the tournament and would accept any fines that were imposed on her. She said the press conferences were affecting her mental health as they gave her anxiety during an already stressful time. Eventually, Naomi decided to withdraw from the tournament completely after she was threatened with expulsion.
While doing her own press conference after a win in round one on Monday (May 31), Serena commented on the news.
“Honestly I just found out before I walked into the press conference, so that’s the extent of it right now for me,” Serena told reporters.
Serena was asked about Naomi‘s comments about the press conferences affecting her mental health.
“The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like. Like I said, I’ve been in those positions. We have different personalities, and people are different. Not everyone is the same. I’m thick [skinned]. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently,” Serena said. “You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to, in the best way she thinks she can, and that`s the only thing I can say. I think she`s doing the best that she can.”
“You have to be able to make an effort and say, I need help with A, B, C, and D, and talk to someone,” she continued. “Whether it`s someone at the WTA or whether it’s someone in your life. Maybe it’s someone that you just talk to on a weekly basis. I’ve been in that position, too. I’ve definitely had opportunities to talk to people, kind of get things off my chest that I can`t necessarily talk to anyone in my family or anyone that I know.”
Support for Naomi Osaka after her withdrawal from French Open in row about post-match media duties
Nick Mulvenney
June 01 2021
Leading figures in tennis and sport have rallied to support Naomi Osaka after the women's world number two withdrew from the French Open in a row about post-match media duties, saying she had been suffering from "depression" and "anxiety".
One of the biggest names in sport, Osaka stunned the tennis world when she pulled out of the Grand Slam after being fined and threatened with expulsion for refusing to show up at an obligatory news conference on Sunday.
The four-times Grand Slam champion had signalled her intentions to skip her media duties to protect her mental well-being on social media and returned to Twitter on Monday to announce her withdrawal.
"I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can go back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris," she wrote.
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While her original stance had earned little backing from her fellow professionals, most of whom saying that dealing with the media was part of the job, her withdrawal triggered a wave of support from around the sporting world.
"So proud of you," multiple Grand Slam winner Venus Williams posted on Twitter. "Take care of yourself and see you back winning soon!"
Williams's sister Serena and younger American players Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens also chimed in with messages of support as the focus shifted from Osaka's responsibilities to her wellbeing.
Billie Jean King echoed comments from fellow women's tennis trailblazer Martina Navratilova about the importance of mental health.
"It's incredibly brave that Naomi Osaka has revealed her truth about her struggle with depression," King wrote on social media.
"Right now, the important thing is that we give her the space and time she needs. We wish her well."
There were also messages of support posted on social media from athletes in other sports, with golf's Michelle Wie, NFL players Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett as well as multiple Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt offering their backing.
"You shouldn't ever have to make a decision like this -- but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be don't protect their own. Major respect," wrote NBA All Star Steph Curry.
There was some criticism of Roland Garros organisers for their handling of the matter.
French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moretton read a prepared statement on Monday offering Osaka their support but the irony of him not taking questions, given the context of the row, was not lost on some.
"So the FFT handled the Ms Osaka mental health concerns without empathy or sensitivity. Then the FFT President refuses to take questions at a presser. An own goal," wrote former Australian tennis official Richard Ings.
Japan's Osaka, who according to sports business website Sportico earned $55.2 million over the past 12 months, is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at the Tokyo Olympics in July and August.
The 23-year-old concluded her statement by saying she would be taking some time away from tennis and organisers of that already troubled event will be desperately hoping she will be back on court long before the Games get underway
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