BEVERLY HILLS, June 07, (THEWILL) – World number two female tennis player, Naomi Osaka, has pulled out of next week’s Berlin WTA grasscourt tournament, according to event organisers.
On Monday, the tournament confirmed that they “have received a notification” that the 23-year-old was not going to be available for the June 14 commencement of the event. This comes in the wake of Osaka’s exit from the French Open over her mental health concerns and issues surrounding her Press boycott.
A spokesperson for the Berlin tournament said: “We have received notification that Naomi Osaka cannot start in Berlin. After consulting her management, she will take a break.”
THEWILL recalls that Osaka did not say when she plans to play next after her premature withdrawal from the clay courts of Roland Garros but only said, “I’m gonna take some time away from the court now.”
Her withdrawal from Berlin makes it impossible to tell for how long she will be away. Pulling out of the French Open brought the four-time Grand Slam winner to the spotlight and the concerns of health, both mental and physical, to the front burner of public discourse.
She was initially fined $15,000 and threatened with default penalties for not honoring mandatory media commitments, prompting the Japanese to exit after only the first round.
Osaka, who revealed her ongoing battle with depression and anxiety, which she said having to face the media exacerbated, thanked her supporters in a brief message on Instagram on Saturday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
