“It made me stronger” says Serena Williams after Naomi Osaka withdraws from the French Open 2021 due to mental issues
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Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams is one of the greatest players of the game and her numbers are as sensational as her game. With the first round victory at the French Open 2021, Serena registered her 77th first round career win in major tournaments and is now 77-1 in first rounds of Major tournaments.
Serena won the match 7-6(6), 6-2 against Irina-Camelia Begu and now qualifies for the 2nd round at the Roland Garros chasing her 4th title in Paris.
As Serena was battling it out in the first night session of the Grand Slam, Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from the tournament citing mental issues she had been facing since 2018 and decided to take a break.
Osaka had found herself in middle of great media backlash after she announced before her 1st round match of not attending any press conference during her run at the tournament and is ready to accept whatever fine is charged and will give the amount to organisation helping with mental health.
Talking about the 4-time Grand Slam’s withdrawal from the tournament in her post-match interview, Serena offered her sympathy to Naomi who tweeted her withdrawal while Serena was on the court. Serena talked about facing anxiety herself during her matches and how she dealt with it.
“Many of them I’ve been into where I’ve been — very difficult to walk in those moments. But you know, it made me stronger,” Williams said.
“I feel for Naomi, not everyone is the same. I’m thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently,” Williams added.
“I think she is doing the best she can” says Serena Williams on Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open 2021
Serena Williams talked about the importance of discussing things and opening up with others when you are going through a difficult time.
“You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to and the best way she thinks she can. That’s the only thing I can say: I think she is doing the best she can,” Williams said.
“You really have to step forward and make an effort, just as in anything, and say, ‘I need help with A, B, C and D,’ and talk to someone. I think that’s so important to have a sounding board, whether it’s someone at the WTA, or someone in your life, or maybe it’s someone you talk to on a weekly basis.”
“I’ve been in that position too, and I’ve definitely had opportunities to talk to people and just get things off my chest that I can’t necessarily talk about to anyone in my family or anyone I know,” Serena continued further.
Roland Garros shortly released a statement about the withdrawal of Naomi calling it an unfortunate event and wishing for her speedy recovery.
While it was unfortunate for Naomi to had to withdraw from the tournament as she was unbeaten in 15 Grand Slam matches after winning the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, everyone around the globe can only wish that she recovers quickly and is back on court healthy and fit both physically and mentally.
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Sarthak Shitole
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