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French Open 2021: Becker fears for Osaka's career after Roland Garros withdrawal

Boris Becker fears Naomi Osaka's career could be "in danger" after she withdrew from the French Open to prioritise improving her mental health.

By Peter Thompson
Naomi Osaka

Paris, June 1: Boris Becker fears Naomi Osaka's career could be "in danger" after she withdrew from the French Open to prioritise improving her mental health.

Osaka had hit the headlines by revealing she would not face the media at Roland Garros because "people have no regard for athletes' mental health" during news conferences.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was fined for not fulfilling her media duties after beating Maria Tig and warned she could face more severe sanctions.

French Open 2021: Stars voice support after shock Naomi Osaka withdrawalFrench Open 2021: Stars voice support after shock Naomi Osaka withdrawal

Osaka on Monday revealed she had pulled out of the second major of the year to take time away from the court, having struggled with "long bouts of depression" since winning the US Open in 2018.

The 23-year-old also spoke of her struggles with social anxiety and Becker is concerned for her tennis future.

French Open: Osaka media boycott leaves Billie Jean King 'torn'French Open: Osaka media boycott leaves Billie Jean King 'torn'

Becker, a winner of six Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, told Eurosport: "I heard her first response a couple of days ago about this media boycott and that is something to be always taken seriously, especially from such a young woman.

"She couldn't cope with the pressures of facing the media after she loses a match, but that happens frequently and you have to deal with it.

Osaka fined and hit with Roland Garros expulsion warning over media rowOsaka fined and hit with Roland Garros expulsion warning over media row

"I always believed the media was part of the job. Without the media, there is no prize money, no contracts, you don't get half the cake. I hated the media and I didn't like talking to journalists, but you had to do it.

"Now she is pulling out of the tournament altogether because she can't cope with it and that raises much bigger questions for me.

French Open: Osaka refuses to hold any news conferences at Roland GarrosFrench Open: Osaka refuses to hold any news conferences at Roland Garros

"If she can't cope with the media in Paris, she can't cope with the media in Wimbledon or the US Open. So I almost feel like her career is in danger due to mental health issues."

Story first published: Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 18:42 [IST]
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