Grand slams offer support to Naomi Osaka following French Open withdrawal

Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal has prompted a pledge to change from the grand slams (Christophe Ena/AP)

The grand slams have pledged to work to improve the player experience at major tournaments following Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open.

A strong joint statement from the slams on Sunday threatening the world number two with disqualification and a ban from future tournaments if she did not reverse her decision not to fulfil her media commitments fanned the flames of what had already become a major talking point.

Osaka announced her withdrawal on Monday, revealing her struggles with depression, and another statement from the slams on Tuesday took a very different tone.

“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,” read the statement. “She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate.

“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 empathise with the unique pressures tennis players may face.

“While players’ well-being has always been a priority to the grand slams, our intention, together with the WTA, the ATP and the ITF, is to advance mental health and well-being through further actions.”

The slams did, though, again stress the need for fairness to be maintained through regulations.

“Together, as a community, we will continue to improve the player experience at our tournaments, including as it relates to media,” the statement read.

“Change should come through the lens of maintaining a fair playing field, regardless of ranking or status. Sport requires rules and regulations to ensure that no player has an unfair advantage over another.

“We intend to work alongside the players, the tours, the media and the broader tennis community to create meaningful improvements. As grand slams, we aim to create the stage for the players to achieve the highest accolades in our sport.”

While the response to Osaka’s initial statement was decidedly mixed, the second has led to widespread support from inside and outside tennis.

Boris Becker is concerned the 23-year-old’s mental health struggles could put her career in jeopardy, saying on Eurosport: “She has cited that she is pulling out of the tournament altogether because she can’t cope with it.

“That raises much bigger questions for me because, if she can’t cope with the media in Paris, she can’t cope with the media at Wimbledon, she can’t cope with the media at the US Open.

“I almost feel like her career is in danger because of mental health issues and that we should take very seriously.”

Martina Navratilova said on Tennis Channel: “Clearly this is about more than doing a press conference after the match or not doing a press conference after the match.

“Once she said the word depression, which is only up to her to tell the world about, then everything changes. Now it’s about her taking care of herself and hopefully find a solution.

“It’s such a difficult situation. We’ve never had this happen before. Maybe some people over-reacted with what the fines were and all this stuff but the rules are there for a reason because people would find an excuse. Hers is not an excuse, this is a real reason.”

Regarding what she hopes will happen now, Navratilova added: “Only support her and appreciate the strength it took to say that, because now the whole world knows about it. People say, ‘Oh it’s easy for you, you’re famous and rich’. No. The whole world knows your struggles and that does not make it easier.”

Frenchman Gael Monfils broke down during his press conference at the Australian Open in February, telling journalists: “I feel judged. I’m already on the ground, you shoot me.”

There were emotions of a very different kind as he secured a first-round win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas in Paris, but he empathised with Osaka.

“It’s very tough situation for her,” he said. “I feel for her, because I have been struggling quite a lot as well.

“She’s a champion, she’s quite young, she has a huge influence on many (things). So I think she needs, as she says, to take some time for her to work on herself, feel better.”

Meanwhile, 11th seed Petra Kvitova has been forced to withdraw from the tournament after hurting her ankle fulfilling her media duties. The Czech saved a match point against Greet Minnen in her first-round match on Sunday but then suffered a fall during her media duties.

Kvitova wrote on Twitter: “It is with great disappointment that I announce my withdrawal from Roland Garros. During my post-match press requirements on Sunday, I fell and hurt my ankle. Unfortunately, after an MRI and much discussion with my team, I have made the tough decision that it would be unwise to play on it.”

World number one Ashleigh Barty survived a difficult first-round opener against Bernarda Pera at the French Open. Barty, back at Roland Garros for the first time since winning the title in 2019, took the opening set but American Pera fought back to win the second and the top seed, who had strapping on her left thigh, then took a medical time-out.

The Australian pulled away at the end to win 6-4 3-6 6-2.

There was a big shock in the men’s draw with seventh seed Andrey Rublev losing in five sets to German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 7-6 (6) 4-6 3-6 6-4.

Rafael Nadal began his quest for a 14th French Open title with a tricky straight sets victory over young Australian Alexei Popyrin.

Nadal, who won last year’s title without dropping a set, won 6-3 6-2 7-6 (3).