Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open: What you need to know

Picture Courtesy: The Guardian

• Naomi Osaka, world number two Tennis champion, withdrew from French Open today after days of controversy over her not attending media events post her matches.

• The 23-year-old champion said last week that she would not be doing media events to protect her mental health. She said that talking to world media gives her anxiety.

• She also revealed recently that she had "suffered long bouts of depression" since winning her first championship in 2018.

• She won her opening French Open match against Romania's Patricia Maria Tig but was fined $15,000 for not attending the media event.

• Osaka released a long statement explaining the reason. She said, “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.”

• Osaka had received support from many athletes, in and out of the Tennis world.