Naomi Osaka shocked the tennis world as she withdrew from French Open 2021. The World No.2 cited mental health issues as the reason for her withdrawal. And fans from all around the globe have reacted to the news on their social media platforms.
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Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 30, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her first round match against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Osaka has been embroiled in a controversy in the past few days as she had refused to attend press conferences on the grounds of mental health. And now just after her first-round victory over Patricia Maria Tig, the Japanese ace announced that she will be taking a break from tennis.
Osaka also revealed that she had been suffering from depression since US Open 2018. And she has been trying to deal with it ever since. Moreover, Osaka explained in detail her social anxiety and how it effects her when she doing press conference. The tweet had a small apology to the journalists as well.
“Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. 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 trivialize 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.”
Fans’ reaction to Naomi Osaka withdrawing from French Open 2021
The fans themselves are in shock and have raised their support for the player. Moreover, there is a high consensus of audiences that have spoken against the authorities, especially the Grand Slams.
Recently following Naomi Osaka’s statement on rejecting media duties, the Grand Slams had slapped a $15,000 fine along with a warning. The warning stated that if Osaka continued to evade the press conferences, then she will be in line for heavier fines and repercussions, which included disqualification from French Open 2021 and suspension from future Grand Slams.
This is absolutely devastating.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from the French Open. TAKEAWAY: The idea that you can be confident on the court and experience anxiety speaking after needs to be understood. We need to mix the need for athletes to speak to grow the game and at the same time understand their needs.
Good for Naomi Osaka. The world is not owed any particular relationship with you, especially if folks in the world cannot treat you right. Hoping that they fix the problem and don’t just continue to punish her for taking a stand to protect herself.
The treatment of Osaka by the Lords of Tennis has been shameful. More to say about this soon.
Good Job, French Open. Now we can focus on what’s really important: watching tennis players who aren’t as good as Naomi Osaka do news conferences.
Imagine speaking up for your mental health and then being fined for it AND being made to feel like you are the distraction. My heart is with Naomi Osaka. ❤️
Naomi Osaka announces she's withdrawing from the French Open: "I never wanted to be a distraction"
