Naomi Osaka hit the headlines all over the world after she retired from the French Open following a huge controversy. Before the French Open, the Japanese announced that she would not attend any press conference during the major, citing mental health. Then the slams reacted rather aggressively to threaten Naomi to be suspended. Therefore, Osaka decided not to play anymore and get back in Los Angeles.
Naomi Osaka also took the decision not to play for the entire grass-court season to skip also Wimbledon. Instead, she announced that she would be back for the Olympics.
Boris Becker didn’t like at all Naomi Osaka’s position. As quoted by the Times, he commented:
“If you can’t deal with the media, it’s very difficult to be a professional tennis player. The tour isn’t possible without the press. And it’s difficult to make your prize money, or money for your sponsors without the media.
It’s not something we look forward to. But it’s part of the job. You have to learn to deal with it.
Is that really pressure? Isn’t it pressure when you don’t have food on the table? When you’ve got to feed your family and you don’t have a job? When you have a life-changing injury? Isn’t that more pressure?
You’re 23, you’re healthy, you’re wealthy, your family is good. Where is the f**king pressure?”
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Currently the world no.2, Naomi played her last match on the 30th of May when she beat world no.63 Patricia Maria Tig 6-4 7-6(4) in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
At present, during this year Osaka achieved a 14-3 match record. Naomi has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka |
| Embed from Getty Images |
