Serena Williams said she “feels for” Naomi Osaka and has also experienced “very difficult” press conferences in her career after her rival...
Serena Williams said she “feels for” Naomi Osaka and has also experienced “very difficult” press conferences in her career after her rival’s shock withdrawal from the French Open on Monday.
Japanese star Osaka pulled out of the tournament after being warned about potential disqualification for declining to speak to the media.
Williams, who lost to Osaka in the 2018 US Open final for the youngster’s first Major, said she sympathises with Osaka.
“The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like,” said the 39-year-old, after her first-round 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 win over Irina-Camelia Begu in the first ever scheduled night match at Roland Garros.
“We have different personalities, and people are different. Not everyone is the same. I’m thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently. You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to...
“I’ve been where I’ve been very difficult to walk in (to press conferences) in those moments. But, you know, it made me stronger.”
Williams, seeded seventh this year, saved...
