Osaka withdraws from French Open
Naomi Osaka has dramatically quit the French Open after refusing to end her media boycott.
And the Japan megastar – who says she has suffered depression since the infamous 2018 US Open final win over Serena Williams – could skip Wimbledon after deciding to take “some time away from the court now”.
World No2 was fined £10,600 for not speaking after her first-round victory in Paris, citing mental health concerns over critical questions.
The 23-year-old was threatened with expulsion from Roland Garros and potential suspension from the other Slams if she persisted in not talking to the worldwide press after matches.
But in a statement posted on Twitter, she claimed she has anxiety and stress issues when speaking in front of the media.
Osaka said: “This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago.
read also:Naomi Osaka hit with $15,000 fine as French Open serves off
“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 my message could have been clearer.
“More importantly I would never trivialise mental health or use the term lightly.
“The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.