Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

French Open 2022: Naomi Osaka ready for Roland Garros return

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Friday, 20 May 2022 07:09

Japan's Naomi Osaka says her return to the French Open has been "positive for the most part" after initially worrying what the reaction would be to her pulling out of last year's event.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, 24, withdrew 12 months ago and said she had been suffering from depression.

The former world number one took a break from tennis at the end of last year to protect her mental health.

"I'm not gonna lie. When I first came here I was very worried," she said.

In the days leading up to last year's French Open, Osaka announced she would not be taking part in the news conferences.

After her opening match she was fined $15,000 (£10,570) for not facing the media, with Grand Slam organisers saying Osaka could face expulsion from the tournament if she continued to avoid them.

That led to the player announcing her withdrawal the following day, saying she had suffered from "long bouts of depression".

Later, at last year's US Open, she said she would handle her decision not to speak to the media at Roland Garros differently if she had the chance now.

"Of course I also didn't like how I handled the situation, but I was worried that there were people that I offended some way and I would just kind of bump into them," said Osaka, who pulled out of the Italian Open this month with an ankle injury.

"But I think everyone has been really positive, for the most part. I'm not really so sure."

Osaka, now ranked 38th in the world, has played five tournaments in 2022, including reaching the Miami Open final.

At Indian Wells she was brought to tears by a heckler who shouted "Naomi, you suck" during her 6-0 6-4 defeat by Veronika Kudermetova.

"I was also very worried about this press conference, because I knew I'd get a lot of questions about this," she added when speaking in Paris on Friday about her return to the tournament.

"I wouldn't want to say it hasn't left my mind. Of course I'm still thinking about it, and I'm kind of also prepping just in case I go on the court and a fan says something like in Indian Wells."

Osaka has a tough first-round draw as she faces 27th seed Amanda Anisimova - the young American who ended her Australian Open title defence in January.

Read 194 times

Soccer

Weah sets up decider as Juve reach Coppa final

Weah sets up decider as Juve reach Coppa final

A late goal by striker Arkadiusz Milik -- assisted by United States attacker Timothy Weah -- sent Ju...

Sources: Liverpool consider Slot to replace Klopp

Sources: Liverpool consider Slot to replace Klopp

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool have identified Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as a leading ca...

Source: WCup winner Giroud signs deal with LAFC

Source: WCup winner Giroud signs deal with LAFC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has signed a deal to join LAFC from...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Injured Zion: Playoff return 'definitely realistic'

Injured Zion: Playoff return 'definitely realistic'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- More than an hour after the New Orleans Pelicans'...

Police eye Jokic's brother for reported fan punch

Police eye Jokic's brother for reported fan punch

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- The NBA and Denver police are looking into an incident in...

Baseball

Hendricks to IL; Cubs' focus is injury, then pitching

Hendricks to IL; Cubs' focus is injury, then pitching

EmailPrintCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs placed struggling right-hander Kyle Hendricks on the injured l...

Rangers' Scherzer set to make rehab start Wed.

Rangers' Scherzer set to make rehab start Wed.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer is set...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated