Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this year’s French Open after receiving criticism on her decision to not participate in any press conferences.
The 23-year-old cited mental health issues as the reason for her refusal to take part in the post-match press meetings, however the Japanese player has since been heavily criticised for her refusal as the press conferences come as part of the job.
The decision comes just a day after Osaka won her first-round match comfortably but after neglecting the post-match press conference she was fined $15,000 and condemned by all four of the Grand Slam committees, who threatened to disqualify the player and impose a ban should she not reconsider.
The World No 2 released a statement on Twitter explaining the situation. It read: ‘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. 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 I announced it pre-emptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.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.
‘I am going to take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to make things better for the players, press and fans.’
Roger Federer eases into round two
Roger Federer marked his return to Grand Slam tennis with a classy straight-sets victory over Denis Istomin.
The 39-year-old featured in his 422nd match at a major ending a 487-day wait from the 421st, but it looked as if Federer had never been away after an impressive 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 in just an hour and 33 minutes.
Elsewhere, the World No 2 Daniil Medvedev put aside his clay-court troubles to cruise into the second round by beating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.
Last Brit Standing
Cameron Norrie proved his credentials once again as he progressed in straight sets after overcoming Bjorn Frantengelo
However, Norrie is the last Brit standing in the tournament after 19th seed Johanna Konta and Heather Watson both saw the exit in the opening round of the tournament losing in straight sets.
Reigning champion Iga Swiatek had no such trouble as she began her defence of the title by brushing aside Kaja Juvan 6-0, 7-5 in just one hour and 27 minutes.
Serena Williams saved two set points on her way to a straight-set victory over Irina-Camelia Begu in the first-ever official night session at the tournament.
Fellow American and fourth seed Sofia Kenin was also made to battle into the second round but eventually came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 against Jelena Ostapenko.
Meanwhile the major casualty of day two was Garbine Muguruza as the 2016 French Open champion faltered against Marta Kostyuk and the 18-year-old Ukrainian took full advantage to win 6-4, 6-1.
