‘I’ve suffered bouts of depression’ — Osaka withdraws from French Open, explains media snub

Naomi Osaka, Japanese tennis star, has withdrawn from the French Open after she was threatened with expulsion over her boycott of the press.

The world number two said she has suffered “long bouts of depression” since she won the US Open in 2018.

She made the disclosure one day after beating Patricia Tig in the first round of the French Open.

Osaka was fined $15,000 for not doing post-match interviews after the game.

Prior to the commencement of the French Open, Osaka had said she would not attend press conferences at Roland Garros on account of mental health concerns.

She also stated that she is ready to pay the fine that will come as a result of her stance.

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— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021

In a surprising turn of events, the tennis star later announced her withdrawal from the tournament.

“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,” she said.

“I never wanted to be a distraction. 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. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m introverted, and anyone that’s seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.

“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media. I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.

“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. I announced it pre-emptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.

“I wrote privately to the tournament apologising and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the Slams are intense. I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans.”