Naomi Osaka Gets Unusual Praise From NBA Star After French Open Withdrawal

Naomi Osaka made a bold move in an attempt to quash the current row with French Open organizers.

The Japanese-American tennis star withdrew from the tournament, a move Osaka hopes will get the tournament back on track and focus purely on tennis.

“I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being, is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris,” Osaka said in an Instagram post.

Osaka also explained the reason behind her stance against meeting media. She shared that she was dealing with depression and anxiety, the first time she has gone public to reveal her battle with mental issues, the New York Times reported.

Osama bared that she started dealing with depression in 2018, the time she won over Serena Williams.

“The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that,” Osaka disclosed.

French tennis federation president Gilles Moretto was surprised with Osaka’s withdrawal and just wished the 23-year-old well.

When word got around about Osaka’s withdrawal, some aired their support for the world Mo. 2. That included NBA star Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who pointed out that people should not be pressed to make decisions like this.

“You shouldn't ever have to make a decision like this, but [it is] so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be don't protect their own. Major respect,” Curry wrote on Twitter.

The decision puts an end to Osaka’s French Open pursuit. She is the reigning champion of the Australian Open and the US Open, owning titles in both competitions.

Only the French Open and Wimbledon have eluded her thus far. She is expected to focus on the latter following her shocking withdrawal