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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The discussion of player’s mental health has never been discussed publicly on tennis till Naomi Osaka announced her decision to skip the French Open post-match press conferences. The decision sparked a huge debate around pressers and the pressure they build on players.
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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 07: Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a backhand in her match against Maria Sakkari of Greece during day two of the 2020 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 07, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
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While a lot of top and experienced players expressed that doing pressers is a part of their job and it’s the journalists who were responsible for their stardom over the years.
Naomi Osaka decided to skip Wimbledon Championships to spend time with friends and family
Although the issue got subsided after the French Federation spoke to Osaka regarding what can be done to make pressers easy for players, the Japanese player has recently announced her decision to skip Wimbledon Championships as well.
Naomi Osaka is OUT of Wimbledon but CONFIRMED for the Olympics.
"She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans."
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 17, 2021
Just before her withdrawal decision, the organizers at SW19 have contacted Osaka regarding the media arrangement for her matches. They have not only reached out to Naomi but to other players as well.
It appears that the whole French Open fiasco seemed to have an impact on other grand slam events as they are in touch with players and their teams regarding the post-match press conferences.
However, the former world number one is confirmed for the Olympics. It appears that Osaka is spending this time with friends and family and will play on-court only when she feels right.
Since the Summer Olympics will be played in Tokyo, Osaka will be getting a lot of home support from her huge fan base in Japan. Just like the French Open, Wimbledon is also witnessing a lot of player withdrawals.
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“Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year. She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.”
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) June 17, 2021
Earlier today, Rafael Nadal announced his decision to withdraw from Wimbledon as well as the Olympics. Even though Osaka didn’t mention her exact reason to skip Wimbledon, her past record at the tournament might not have given her enough confidence to constrict herself to the bio-bubble.
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Every tennis fan is expecting a complete performance from Osaka once she feels it right to be back on a tennis court. A right time for the Japanese player would be to plan her comeback in the hard-court swing post-Wimbledon.
Also read: Kei Nishikori Agrees With Rafael Nadal on Naomi Osaka?s Press Conference Boycott Row
