Support Grows for Osaka after She Leaves French Open

Naomi Osaka received the support of tennis fans, leading athletes, her sponsors and her country, Japan, Tuesday, after her withdrawal¹ from the French Open.

The world's number two female tennis player surprised the tennis world on Monday when she said she would no longer play in the tennis championship. Osaka said on Twitter that she experiences "huge waves of anxiety" before speaking to the media and she has "suffered long bouts³ of depression since the US Open in 2018."

The decision came after Osaka was fined $15,000 for not attending a press conference after her first-round victory. She was also threatened by the French Open and other major championships with more punishment, including suspension.

Osaka said she did not want to meet with the media to protect her mental health. Other leading tennis players argued at the time that dealing⁴ with the media was part of the job. But when she withdrew, there were many messages of support from around the world.

The head of Japan Tennis Association said in a statement Tuesday, "I wish her the earliest possible recovery." And Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters that he would "watch over her quietly."

There was also concern on the streets of Tokyo for Osaka who will represent Japan in this year's Olympic Games.

Tomomi Noguchi helps people wear the traditional Japanese clothing, a kimono, for photos and events. "I think she's under a lot of pressure, more than we can imagine," she told Reuters. "She got to the top when she was young so I think we can't really imagine what she's going through."

The sports business website Sportico says Osaka has made more than $55 million in the last 12 months, mainly from deals with sponsors like Nissin Foods, Nike and MasterCard. They all came out to support her decision and Nissan, the automobile⁵ company said, "We stand by her decision and wish her well."

Support from other athletes

Osaka was an unknown when she won the 2018 U.S. Open championship over American Serena Williams. The crowd was upset with officials' calls against Williams. So, they expressed their displeasure against officials instead of cheering for the new champion.

On Monday, Williams added her support for Osaka saying, "I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it's like. ... You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to, in the best way she thinks she can."

There were also messages of support from other female tennis champions and athletes including Olympic champion Mo Farah and NBA player Stephen Curry⁶.

Six-times major champion Boris Becker, however, was worried Osaka's tennis career could be in danger because of mental health issues. He told Eurosport, "If she can't cope with the media in Paris, she can't cope with the media in Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. So I almost feel like her career is in danger due to mental health issues."

In her Twitter post, Osaka also said "the rules are quite outdated⁷ in parts." She said she is willing to work with tennis administrators⁸ to improve things for players, press and fans.

Late on Tuesday, the heads of the four major tennis championships said in a statement, "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 added, "She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate."

The four Grand Slams include the French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open.

Words in This Story

sponsor n. a person or organization that pays the cost of an activity or event (such as a radio or television program, sports event, concert, etc.) in return for the right to advertise during the activity or event

anxiety – n. fear or nervousness about what might happen

bout² – n. a period of time during which someone suffers from something (such as an illness or disease) — often + of

kimono – n. a traditional form of Japanese clothing

hug – n. the action of putting your arms around someone especially as a way of showing love or friendship

handle – v. to deal with (a person or situation) successfully

cope – v. to deal with problems and difficult situations and try to come up with solutions

outdated – adj. no longer useful or acceptable; not modern or current

deem – v. to think of (someone or something) in a particular way

1 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

2 bout   

n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛

参考例句：

• I was suffering with a bout of nerves.我感到一阵紧张。
• That bout of pneumonia enfeebled her.那次肺炎的发作使她虚弱了。

3 bouts   

n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作

参考例句：

• For much of his life he suffered from recurrent bouts of depression. 他的大半辈子反复发作抑郁症。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It was one of fistiana's most famous championship bouts. 这是拳击界最有名的冠军赛之一。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

6 curry   

n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革

参考例句：

• Rice makes an excellent complement to a curry dish.有咖喱的菜配米饭最棒。
• Add a teaspoonful of curry powder.加一茶匙咖喱粉。

7 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

8 administrators   

n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师

参考例句：

• He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
• Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城