Women’s tennis world No 2 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Wimbledon championship for personal reasons but will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics, her agent said on Thursday.
Osaka quit the French Open after her first round victory after organisers fined her $15,000 (R211,000) and threatened her with expulsion from the tournament when she refused to attend mandatory post-match press conferences.
The 23-year-old, who said she has “social anxiety”, explained that the media’s line of questioning after games affected her mental wellbeing.
“Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year.
“She is taking some personal time with friends and family.
“She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans,” Osaka’s agent said.
The four-time Grand Slam winner had announced in the build-up to the French Open that she would not face the media and stuck to her stance.
A strongly-worded letter from the board of the four Grand Slam tournaments followed, warning her of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors — after which she announced her withdrawal on social media.
The reaction to her withdrawal put French Open organisers on the back foot.
Though they defended their handling of the situation, they accepted that the governing bodies need to do better on mental health issues.
Osaka’s withdrawal is a second blow to Wimbledon after 20-times Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal also announced he was skipping the grass court major after a gruelling clay court season.
Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, Osaka grew up idolising 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and turned professional in 2013 at the age of 15.
Osaka pulls out of Wimbledon but aims for Olympics
Image: REUTERS/CHRISTIAN HARTMANN
Women’s tennis world No 2 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Wimbledon championship for personal reasons but will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics, her agent said on Thursday.
Osaka quit the French Open after her first round victory after organisers fined her $15,000 (R211,000) and threatened her with expulsion from the tournament when she refused to attend mandatory post-match press conferences.
The 23-year-old, who said she has “social anxiety”, explained that the media’s line of questioning after games affected her mental wellbeing.
“Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year.
“She is taking some personal time with friends and family.
“She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans,” Osaka’s agent said.
The four-time Grand Slam winner had announced in the build-up to the French Open that she would not face the media and stuck to her stance.
A strongly-worded letter from the board of the four Grand Slam tournaments followed, warning her of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors — after which she announced her withdrawal on social media.
The reaction to her withdrawal put French Open organisers on the back foot.
Though they defended their handling of the situation, they accepted that the governing bodies need to do better on mental health issues.
Osaka’s withdrawal is a second blow to Wimbledon after 20-times Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal also announced he was skipping the grass court major after a gruelling clay court season.
Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, Osaka grew up idolising 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and turned professional in 2013 at the age of 15.
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