World number one Novak Djokovic hailed Naomi Osaka as “brave and bold”, reacting to her withdrawal from the French Open citing her struggl...
World number one Novak Djokovic hailed Naomi Osaka as “brave and bold”, reacting to her withdrawal from the French Open citing her struggles with anxiety and depression but admitted he wasn’t surprised she had been threatened with a Grand Slam ban.
“Look, I can understand her very well, and I empathise with her, because I was on the wrong edge of the sword in my career many times with media. I know how it feels,” he said.
“I support her. I think she was very brave to do that. I’m really sorry that she is going through painful times and suffering mentally,” said Djokovic on Tuesday.
“This was, I must say, a very bold decision from her side. If she needs to take time and reflect and just recharge that’s what she needed to do, and I respect it fully. I hope that she’ll come back stronger.”
Osaka, the 23-year-old world number two, and four-time major winner, said she will take a break from tennis, putting her participation at Wimbledon and her home Olympics in doubt.
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