Tennis star Naomi Osaka has had a tough go as of late, which has been highlighted by a rocky relationship with reporters.
Prior to withdrawing from the French Open, Osaka was refusing to talk to the media, citing her anxiety as a reason.
Now, Osaka is slowly making her return to the public eye, but she suffered from a setback when speaking with reporters on Monday.
Prior to the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist Paul Daugherty asked Osaka about having such a high profile but not liking to speak with members of the media.
Naomi started to answer, but became overwhelmed very quickly.
Naomi Osaka bursts into tears and exits podium while addressing how she has felt since withdrawing from French Open. pic.twitter.com/xBn8XRF8FB
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) August 16, 2021
[SideAction-ad-group]
Paul Daugherty was immediately blamed for how he went about asking his question to Naomi Osaka.
Four Qs or so went smoothly, Naomi was doing well.
Then someone from Cincinnati Enquirer asked her a fairly aggressively toned question about how she benefits from a high-media profile but doesn't like talking to media. Osaka tried to engage, but after her answer began crying.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 16, 2021
Naomi Osaka announced recently that she was planning on donating all of her winnings from this week’s tournament to the earthquake relief in Haiti.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka pledged to donate earnings from her latest tournament to relief efforts in Haiti after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated the country on Saturday. https://t.co/Ts18DdztjX pic.twitter.com/PPYQB9woOx
— ABC News (@ABC) August 16, 2021
Monday marked the first time Naomi Osaka spoke with reporters since she took her break from tennis in May. She competed in the Tokyo Olympics, but was bounced in upset fashion in the second round.
She cited pressure as a reason why she wasn’t on her game.
Hopefully Naomi Osaka is able to get her mind right, and continue to play her sport at a high level.
Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!
🔥 Hot from Side Action 🔥
- Lala Anthony Blames Knicks for the ‘Demise of their Relationship’
- Ja Morant Being Linked to Singer Lotto’s Sister Brooklyn
- Rumor: Instagram Model ‘Ayyyejae’ Connected to Phoenix Suns Is Now Pregnant by NBA Player
- Rumor: Jalen Rose Spotted With New Girlfriend Angela Rye
- Spurs Josh Richardson is Dating Former America’s Next Top Model Runner-Up Tatiana Elizabeth