Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open After Media Boycott

Japan’s Naomi Osaka on Monday announced she was withdrawing from the French Open in the wake of her decision to boycott post-match media duties at the Grand Slam tournament.

Osaka said in the build-up to the tournament that she would not attend the obligatory press conferences, citing that the way journalists quiz players adversely impacts her mental well-being.

The four-time Grand Slam champion made good on her threat on Sunday when, after winning her first round match, she did not hold a press conference.

She was fined $15,000 by Grand Slam organisers who issued a statement later warning of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors if she fails to change her stance.

On Monday, the world number two decided to take matters into her own hands to end the stand-off.

Taking to Twitter, the 23-year-old Osaka said the best thing for the tournament, the other players and her well-being is that she withdraws so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.

Osaka, one of the biggest name’s in women’s sport, went on to say she had suffered from depression since 2018 and that she has had a really hard time coping with that.

She added that she never imagined or intended this situation when she posted a few days ago.

She said anyone who knows her know’s she is introverted, and that she often wears headphones at tournaments to help dull her social anxiety.

There was no immediate response from tournament organisers.