SPORTS

Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open

May 31, 2021, 12:39 PM | Updated: 12:39 pm

Naomi Osaka - Australian Open...

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning her Women’s Singles Final match against Jennifer Brady of the United States during day 13 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 20, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

(AP) – Naomi Osaka wrote on Twitter on Monday that “the best thing for the tournament” would be if she withdrew from the French Open, a dramatic turn of events for the four-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player.

She had declared she would not speak to the media during Roland Garros and was fined $15,000 after she skipped the postmatch news conference following her first-round victory Sunday.

“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,” Osaka wrote Monday.

She also said that she has “suffered long bouts of depression” since the 2018 U.S. Open, which she won by beating Serena Williams in a final filled with controversy.

In addition to Sunday’s fine during Day 1 of the French Open, she drew a surprising warning from all four Grand Slam tournaments that she could face stiffer penalties, including disqualification or even suspension, if she continues to avoid the media.

Osaka returned to Roland Garros after sitting out the tournament last year and turned in a mistake-filled 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over 63rd-ranked Patricia Maria Tig at Court Philippe Chatrier on Day 1.

She had said last week on social media she would not speak to the media and kept that promise.

Hours later, Osaka turned to her preferred method of communication these days, tweeting: “anger is a lack of understanding. change makes people uncomfortable.”

Tennis players are required to attend news conferences if requested to do so. The maximum fine, of course, is not a big deal to Osaka, the world’s highest-earning female athlete thanks to endorsement contracts totaling tens of millions of dollars.

She framed the matter as a mental health issue, saying that it can create self-doubt to have to answer questions after a loss.

Other players, notably 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal and No. 1-ranked Ash Barty, have said they respect Osaka’s right to take a stance but explained that they consider speaking to reporters part of the job.

Sports

BYU Athletics Director, Shane Reese, National Search, BYU President...

Mitch Harper

BYU Will Conduct National Search For Next Athletics Director

C. Shane Reese is the first BYU President since Cecil O. Samuelson to lead a search for an Athletics Director.

5 minutes ago

Utah Jazz vs. Lakers...

Ben Anderson & Brian Preece

Utah Jazz Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Blog: Live Updates, Analysis, And More

NBA-title hopeful Los Angeles Lakers take their traveling circus on the road to face the Utah Jazz three days after beating Utah by 19.

43 minutes ago

Tom Holmoe, BYU Athletic Director, Retirement...

Mitch Harper

Tom Holmoe On Decision To Retire As BYU’s AD, What’s Next

BYU AD Tom Holmoe discussed the end of a 20-year run overseeing Cougar athletics.

1 hour ago

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Brice Sensabaugh #28 and Kyle Filipo...

Ben Anderson

Doncic, James Probable As Jazz Host Lakers

Luka Doncic is expected to play in his first road game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers when they travel to face the Utah Jazz..

4 hours ago

real salt lake, club america...

Tanner Tripp

Real Salt Lake Will Host Club América In Phase 1 Of Leagues Cup

As a part of the seeding phase of the Leagues Cup, Real Salt Lake will host three different sides from Liga MX, Mexico's top-flight league, at America First Field, including Club América, one of North America's most popular and recognizable teams.

6 hours ago

BYU Basketball, West Virginia, Takeaways, Egor Demin...

Mitch Harper

BYU Basketball Takeaways From Complete Team Win At West Virginia

Key takeaways from BYU's big win at West Virginia.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two of the season were Jackson Maw from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two were Faythe Stauffer from Riverton High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week two were Easton Hawkins from Lehi […]

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one of the season were Sam Romer from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one were Beckham Bayles from Cyprus High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week one were Jaxon McCuistion from Timpanogos […]

Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open