Venus Williams, Stephen Curry and more show support for Osaka

With her withdrawal from Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka also shared an explanation of her pre-tournament decision to forgo press conferences:

“The truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that,” she posted to social media. “Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.”

“I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media,” she added. “I get really nervous and find it stressful to always to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.”

It was a sentiment that many athletes showed support for; Venus Williams commented on Instagram, “So proud of you. Take care of yourself and see you back winning soon!”

Others to chime in included NBA basketball player, Stephen Curry.

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And Mardy Fish:

”We’re behind you babygirl, take the time you need!” commented fellow US Open champion Sloane Stephens, while sprinter Usain Bolt added three praying-hands emojis.

Osaka may be out of the French Open, but we’ve surely not seen the last of her impact.