Naomi Osaka should be supported and applauded for her resolution to withdraw from the French Open to deal with her mental well being, former US Open champion and WTA Players’ Council member Sloane Stephens stated on Tuesday (June 1). Japan’s Osaka left the claycourt Grand Slam on Monday after refusing to attend the necessary post-match press conferences and revealing she had been affected by bouts of melancholy for three years.
“Having to take a step back and say, ‘Hey, I need to do this for me’, we should support her and applaud her, because a lot of people wouldn’t do that,” Stephens stated after her first spherical victory. “A lot of people play through being miserable and being upset and not being able to speak out and say those things.”
“We should be more accepting and allow her to take the time she needs to work on herself and better herself so she can be in a better position to play tennis and be happy and enjoy her tennis,” she stated. “But I think there definitely needs to be more open dialogue on what not only her but everyone on tour goes through. I think we don’t talk about it enough,” she stated, including that she hopes Osaka’s resolution will encourage others to talk out when they’re fighting their mental well being.
“Feelings are real and we’re all human, so I hope she takes the time she needs. I hope she feels better and I hope she gets back to winning.”
Coco Gauff, who shared an emotional on-court interview with Osaka after falling to her on the 2019 US Open, echoed Stephens’ feedback.
“Obviously I have some great moments with her on court and off court,” Gauff stated after her first spherical victory. “It’s unfortunate that she’s going through what she’s going through. I can only lend out a hand for support. Tour isn’t the easiest. I talk to other players and they have gone through similar things in the past,” she stated. “I hope that she can beat that and come out better and stronger.”
