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Tennis star Naomi Osaka withdraws from second tournament amid mental health break

The New York Daily News - 6/8/2021

Tennis star Naomi Osaka, the second-ranked player in the world, has withdrawn from another tournament over mental health concerns.

Osaka, 23, announced May 31 that she would not compete in the French Open, which is currently underway, for her own “well-being” after she was fined for skipping a press conference following her First Round victory. On Monday, Osaka said she would also be withdrawing from the Berlin WTA 5000 tournament ahead of its June 14 start.

“I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer,” Osaka wrote on Instagram after dropping out of the French Open. “More importantly I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly.” Osaka has dealt with depression and anxiety and has said she will “take some time away from the court.”

The German tournament is considered a warm-up to Wimbledon leading to doubt over whether Osaka will play in that Grand Slam ahead of its June 28th start. Osaka’s involvement in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to begin in late July, could also come into question soon, too.

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