Naomi Osaka: Grand Slams want ‘meaningful improvements’ & to ‘advance mental health’

THE four Grand Slams say they want to “create meaningful improvements” in supporting players after Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open.

Osaka, 23, pulled out on Monday – a day after the Slams threatened her with expulsion for not talking to the media.

The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open have offered their “support and assistance” to her.

“We commend Naomi for sharing in her own words the pressures and anxieties she is feeling,” they said.

Osaka said she was going to “take some time away from the court now”.

“We empathise with the unique pressures tennis players may face.”

The four major tournaments have faced criticism for the way they have handled the issue at Roland Garros.

Japanese world number two Osaka announced last week she did not want to do interviews to “protect her mental health”.

On Sunday, Osaka won her opening match against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig in straight sets and was fined US$15,000 (£10,570) for not doing post-match media.

Later that day, a joint statement from Grand Slam organisers said Osaka could face expulsion from the tournament if she continued to avoid them.

On Monday, Osaka pulled out of the French Open and, in the same statement, revealed she has been suffering with “bouts of depression” since winning her maiden major title at the 2018 US Open.

Osaka added she was going to “take some time away from the court now”.

“We wish to offer Naomi Osaka our support and assistance in any way possible as she takes time away from the court,” the Grand Slams said.

“She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate.”

The tone of their statement was markedly different to the strongly worded one issued on Sunday, which threatened “more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions” if she continued to avoid the media.

“While players’ wellbeing has always been a priority to the Grand Slams, our intention, together with the WTA, the ATP and the ITF, is to advance mental health and wellbeing through further actions,” it added.

“Together as a community we will continue to improve the player experience at our tournaments, including as it relates to media.

“Change should come through the lens of maintaining a fair playing field, regardless of ranking or status. Sport requires rules and regulations to ensure that no player has an unfair advantage over another.

“We intend to work alongside the players, the tours, the media and the broader tennis community to create meaningful improvements.”

Players rally around in support of Osaka

Osaka’s withdrawal continued to be a major talking point on day three at Roland Garros, with a number of her fellow professionals offering support following their matches.

Coco Gauff, the American world number 25, said she hoped her friend could “push through this” and return “better and stronger”.

“Mental health is a dear subject to me and I feel for her,” 17-year-old Gauff said.

“I hope as a tour that we can find ways to help her and help players going through situations like her.

“The only thing I can do is just reach out and be supportive.”

France’s Gael Monfils said he hoped Osaka would make a “speedy recovery”, saying the sport needs her “back on the court, back in the press conferences and back happy”.

“It’s a very tough situation for her. I feel for her, because I have been struggling quite a lot as well,” added Monfils, who has been open about his own feelings during the pandemic.

“It’s a big moment for everybody, even outside of tennis, what we are experiencing now.”

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams acknowledged that speaking to the media was “definitely not easy to do for anyone”.

“For me personally, I know every single person asking me a question can’t play as well as I can and never will, so no matter what you say or what you write, you’ll never light a candle to me,” said the 40-year-old American.

“That’s how I deal with it. But each person deals with it differently –

‘A situation I never imagined’ – Osaka’s statement in full

“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 wellbeing 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 my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialise 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.

“Anyone that knows me knows I am introverted and anyone that has 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 want to apologise 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 preemptively 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 going to 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.” – bbc.com