Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open, one day after she was fined and threatened with harsher sanctions for skipping her mandatory media obligations.

The second-ranked player in the world took to social media yesterday (Monday) and wrote, "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.”

She added, "I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and message could have been clearer."

Osaka revealed that she has experienced depression and anxiety since winning her first major at the 2018 US Open.

She explained that speaking to the media often makes her nervous which is why she announced last Wednesday that she would not be participating in any news conferences during the tournament.