JUST IN: Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open, Citing Mental Health Concerns
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
After tennis star Naomi Osaka previously announced a media boycott at the French Open, she is now withdrawing from the tournament altogether — citing mental health concerns.
In a statement posted to Twitter, the four-time Grand Slam winner said that she did not intend to be a distraction from the tournament, and believes it’s in her best interests — as well as those of the other players — for her to step back. She also revealed that she has been fighting bout of depression for the past three years.
“I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer,” Osaka wrote. “More importantly I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly. The truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.”
The tennis star went on to detail the anxiety she feels when speaking with the media. Here is her complete statement:
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021
Osaka defeated Serena Williams in February to win the Australian Open and at just 23 years old, is widely considered to be the brightest young star in the game.
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