Naomi Osaka returns to Roland Garros a year after her unexpected retirement, quickly disappearing and warning that she will not be going to London

Naomi Osaka returns to Roland Garros a year after her controversial departure amid a standoff with organizers for refusing to attend conferences during the tournament, which sparked discussion about the importance of healthcare of the mind for athletes. And after falling to 7-5 and 6-4 in the first round against the Americans Amanda Anisimova, seeded 27th, the Japanese again spoke to the press. And he recalled what he experienced last year, where he played less and was more focused on his welfare, citing the sensations of returning to the Parisian tournament and even slipping away that he probably wouldn’t play Wimbledon, because he didn’t. motivated by not delivering points.

“I’m not going to lie: when I came back, I came to Paris, I was worried. I was worried that there were people who were, say, hurt and I met them. And because I didn’t like how I handled the situation. Last year, something is still missing. in my mind. I’m still thinking. But globally, everyone had a very positive reaction, “the former number one commented.

“I’m also worried about these press conferences, because I know I have a lot to ask about it,” added the owner of four Grand Slams titles (Australia 2019 and 2021 and the US Open 2018 and 2020). “And I also prepared myself for the possibility that someone would say something when I got off the track, like in Indian Wells (NdR: He was booed by a spectator and ended up in tears)“.

Osaka made waves last year when, after winning his debut in this tournament, he did not attend the mandatory press conference for players. The tournament fined him and threatened him with a bigger penalty if he missed again. And he decided to withdraw from the tournament before his second round match, without announcing that he had suffered a “long period of depression since the 2018 US Open” in addition to daily anxiety problems.

After his retirement, Osaka rested before reappearing at the end of July at the Tokyo Olympics, in his home country, where he was an icon even though he grew up and lived in the United States.

“It’s great to see that in the Olympic Village, people have come to thank me. I think all athletes have gone through the same thing,” said the tennis player, who has become one of the voices of world sport in terms of mental health.

The Japanese demanded that the Grand Slams and the WTA and other tennis organizations in the world pay attention to the mental health problems of the players. And referring to progress in this aspect, he affirmed that progress has been made, but that “something can always be done.”

“You can’t make progress and then completely stop at one point. But I think they’re doing everything they can (the WTA and the ITF) and it’s nice to see. Sometimes they send me surveys what else I want and things. that way, “he said. At the same time, he celebrated that tournaments like” excellent “French and American” implement “specific spaces to address issues. ito.

Osaka explained that, beyond the work he does with his psychologist, who accompanied him to Roland Garros, he decided to “isolate” himself from the networks, especially after the defeats.

“After losing a game, I don’t look at any message. I also have filters to mute certain words. I try to wait about three days after a loss to see Twitter or Instagram. I set it to see it only verified accounts, because when I lose, I receive a lot of messages and news from people.I try not to look at all because Twitter is the most negative place in the world.This, for young players , is very difficult, because you take everything personally, ”he said.

And before saying goodbye to Paris, he warned that he was unlikely to go to Wimbledon, the most important grass-court event of the season. It is that after the English Grand Slam banned the participation of Russian and Belarusian players due to the invasion of Ukraine, the WTA – like the ATP – announced that this year the tournament will not distribute points for the rankings . And for Osaka, there are no points no appeal.

“I’m not sure about participating. I would like to be able to go and gain more experience on grass, but I think … I don’t want to say that it doesn’t make sense, without bad intentions, pero I am a player with the motivation to climb the ranks. And then, on top of that, I was badly injured and that scares me. Let’s see what happens in the situation and then I will decide. But, when without points, Wimbledon will be like an exhibition. You can’t give your one hundred percent “, he commented.