via Getty
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)
via Getty
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)
During the press conference at the Cincinnati Open 2021, Naomi Osaka got emotional and had to leave the podium. Immediately after, the news about her breaking down into tears surfaced everywhere, but for an altogether different reason. However, a video of the presser has now cleared out the rumors.
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Notably, it was Osaka’s first WTA press conference since her French Open media boycott. Hence, the intensity inside the room was inarguably high.
Shockingly, there was news that the Japanese star broke down into tears as a reporter interrogated her in an aggressive tone. Behind this, the idea was that Osaka’s off-the-court earnings are because of the media.
Read More: Naomi Osaka Breaks Down as Journalist Interrogates Her in an ‘Aggressive Tone’
Ultimately, the truth came out, and it was reliving the aftermath of her French Open withdrawal that made her emotional. The current World No.2 expressed that she received enormous support in Tokyo, and she felt proud about what she did. Yet, the revelation of it filled her with emotions she couldn’t hold on inside.
Unquestionably, the 23-year-old received both backlash and support regarding her French Open decision. But indeed, she had to come back from it on her own.
Naomi Osaka bursts into tears and exits podium while addressing how she has felt since withdrawing from French Open. pic.twitter.com/xBn8XRF8FB
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) August 16, 2021
Osaka’s emotional press conference in Cincinnati
After answering what she went through following the Paris exit, Osaka covered her tears with her cap. Even then, she could not get herself together. Thus, the organizer announced a five minutes break for her.
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Women’s Singles – Round 3 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Naomi Osaka of Japan walks off after losing her third round match against Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic REUTERS/Mike Segar
Most importantly, the support she received from other athletes in Tokyo got her to feel positive. Therefore, while she was proud of her decision, she remembered the path she had to walk alone.
Watch this story: How Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, And Other Tennis Stars Travel
“I think the biggest eye-opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say that they are really glad that I did what I did. So after all that, yeah, I am proud of what I did, and I think that was something needed to be done,” Osaka said.
After getting herself together, Osaka returned to the podium and completed the press conference. Without any doubt, she is one of the most inspiring athletes in the sports world at 23 years of age.
Who will Naomi Osaka play in Cincinnati Open 2021?
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As the second seed, Osaka received a bye in the Western and Southern Open 2021 opening round. In the second round, she will face the winner of the clash between the 17-year-old Coco Gauff and the Taiwanese magician Hsieh Su-Wei.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Cori Gauff of the United States and Naomi Osaka of Japan speak following their Women’s Singles third round match on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Therefore, her first match in Cincinnati is all set to be a blockbuster. Moreover, being a 2020s finalist, she will defend 600 rankings points this week.
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Above all, Osaka will want to feel her natural self again on the tennis court. Let’s see if she can stay positive and go on to defend her US Open title this year.
