Background Circle Background Circle
Naomi Osaka Announces She’s Withdrawing From Wimbledon Tennis Tournament

Naomi Osaka Announces She’s Withdrawing From Wimbledon Tennis Tournament

Naomi Osaka announced on Thursday that she is withdrawing from Wimbledon, the oldest and one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world.

“Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year,” the 23-year-old’s agent, Stuart Duguid, said in a statement, NBC News reported. “She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.” 

Osaka, however, will remain on course for the Tokyo Olympics set for late July. 

As Blavity previously reported, the No. 2 women’s tennis player first opted out of tournament press conferences at the French Open, citing mental health reasons. 

“I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athlete’s mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one,” Osaka’s original statement read. “We’re often sat there and asked questions that we’ve been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I’m just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me.”

Subsequently, the four-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the French Open on May 31, as Blavity previously reported. 

“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 said in a follow-up statement. 

Since taking a stand to preserve her mental health, Osaka received outpouring support from people including Serena and Venus Williams, gymnast Gabby Douglas, Will Smith and the Calm app, a meditation app that offered to pay Osaka’s $15,000 fines for refusing to attend press conferences. 

Earlier this month, administrators for the Grand Slam tournaments which include the French Open, Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open, joined in solidarity with Osaka, voicing their support for her decision to withdraw from one of their events.

“On behalf of the Grand Slams, we wish to offer Naomi Osaka our support and assistance in any way possible as she takes time away from the court,” they said in a statement, according to People. “She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate,” the statement read. “Mental health is a very challenging issue, which deserves our utmost attention. It is both complex and personal, as what affects one individual does not necessarily affect another.”

“We commend Naomi for sharing in her own words the pressures and anxieties she is feeling and we empathize with the unique pressures tennis players may face,” as the officials emphasized that players’ well-being “has always been a priority to the Grand Slams” and pledged to work with the athletes, tours, media and the tennis community at large “to advance mental health and wellbeing through further actions,” the statement continued.

Rafael Nadal, a 20-time Grand Slam champion player from Spain, also announced on Thursday that he will be opting out of Wimbledon after “listening to his body,” ESPN reports

The main draw at Wimbledon begins on June 28 and will end on July 11.

Source link

Related Posts
Serena Williams v Simona Halep | Australian Open 2021 – Highlights | Tennis | Eurosport
Serena Williams v Simona Halep | Australian Open 2021 – Highlights | Tennis | Eurosport

Watch the highlights of Serena Williams vs Simona Halep at Australian Open 2021. News from the #1 sports destination and Read more

Serena Williams: "Best match I've played" on-court interview (QF) | Australian Open 2021
Serena Williams: "Best match I've played" on-court interview (QF) | Australian Open 2021

Serena Williams' on-court interview following her quarterfinal win over Simona Halep at the Australian Open 2021. source

Serena Williams: "No one gets there by chance" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021
Serena Williams: "No one gets there by chance" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021

Serena Williams' press conference following her quarterfinal win over Simona Halep at the Australian Open 2021. source

Naomi Osaka Scores Fourth Grand Slam Title With Her Australian Open Win
Naomi Osaka Scores Fourth Grand Slam Title With Her Australian Open Win

Japan's young tennis phenom Naomi Osaka scored her fourth Grand Slam title winning her final match in the Australian Open, Read more

Stevie Wonder Announces Plans To Relocate To Ghana Amid Ongoing Social And Racial Unrest In America
Stevie Wonder Announces Plans To Relocate To Ghana Amid Ongoing Social And Racial Unrest In America

Legendary musician Stevie Wonder has announced that he plans to permanently relocate to Ghana, according to Rolling Out. Wonder told Oprah Winfrey Read more

Serena Williams v Anastasia Potapova | Australian Open 2021 – Highlights | Tennis | Eurosport
Serena Williams v Anastasia Potapova | Australian Open 2021 – Highlights | Tennis | Eurosport

Watch the highlights of Serena Williams vs Anastasia Potapova at Australian Open 2021. News from the #1 sports destination and Read more

Serena Williams coy on new documentary after winning into the semis | Wide World of Sports
Serena Williams coy on new documentary after winning into the semis | Wide World of Sports

Serena Williams speaks to Jim Courier after her quarter-final win over Simona Halep. READ: http://9Soci.al/3G7850wAa2v | Subscribe: http://9Soci.al/c66350wAa29 The Nine Read more

Philadelphia State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta Announces Run For U.S. Senate
Philadelphia State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta Announces Run For U.S. Senate

Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta will be running for U.S. Senate in 2022 to replace outgoing Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, according to Read more

Simona Halep: "She was stronger" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021
Simona Halep: "She was stronger" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021

Simona Halep's press conference following her quarterfinal defeat to Serena Williams at the Australian Open 2021. source

Nina Stojanovic vs Serena Williams Match Highlights (2R) | Australian Open 2021
Nina Stojanovic vs Serena Williams Match Highlights (2R) | Australian Open 2021

Nina Stojanovic takes on Serena Williams in Round 2 of the Australian Open 2021. source

Serena Williams survives Tsvetana Pironkova to reach the semifinals | 2020 US Open Highlights
Serena Williams survives Tsvetana Pironkova to reach the semifinals | 2020 US Open Highlights

Watch highlights as Serena Williams defeats Tsvetana Pironkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the 2020 US Open. Read more

Serena Williams: "This is right up there!" (2R) press conference | Australian Open 2021
Serena Williams: "This is right up there!" (2R) press conference | Australian Open 2021

Serena Williams' press conference following her Round 2 win over Nina Stojanovic at the 2021 Australian Open. source