Naomi Osaka makes U-turn renews romance with the Media
World number two Naomi Osaka has resumed her romance with the media close to one month after declaring media conferences a no go area.
Osaka who pulled out of the French Open as part of her protest against media and equally citing her struggles with depression and anxiety, said she is now ready to re-open the all-important romance even as she hinted that she is looking forward to an impressive run at the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Osaka told Japan’s national broadcaster NHK she was getting ready to play on home turf at the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Games, after having withdrawn from Wimbledon and the French Open
“I am preparing myself little by little so I can be at the top of my game for the Olympics,” the 23-year-old wrote in a message published by the broadcaster.
“Since getting the attention of the world, I’ve always had bouts of anxiety. This is especially the case in the lead up to big competitions.”
Osaka set off a debate about mental health in June after abandoning her French Open campaign just one match in over a dispute on media duties.
The Japanese player had said post-match news conferences were detrimental to her mental health and likened them to “kicking people when they’re down”.
She later revealed her battle with depression and anxiety in a post on social media, saying she wanted to take time away from the game to get better.
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In the message published by NHK, Osaka said she was “proud” to play for her country at the Games, adding that she would take part in news conferences while giving consideration to her mental health.
Recall that she was fined $15,000 and threatened with disqualification from Roland Garros after refusing to honour mandatory media commitments.
French Open organisers protested that they had treated her with “care and respect” after they were accused of being heavy-handed.
The embattled Tokyo 2020 Olympics will hopefully get under way July 23 with avalanche of rules to be obeyed by athletes, officials and fans and the media and even visitors as well on the table