Naomi Osaka withdraws from Berlin tournament

Bengaluru, June 7: After controversially exiting from the French Open due to mental health issues, World No. 2 Naomi Osaka has now withdrawn from the Berlin WTA grass court tournament.

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The Berlin tournament is set to begin on June 14. Organisers on Monday (June 7) said that Osaka had informed the organisers that she wouldn’t be a part of the tournament.

As per an AFP report, a spokesperson for the Berlin event said, “We have received notification that Naomi Osaka cannot start in Berlin. After consulting her management, she will take a break.”

After Osaka’s shock withdrawal from the French Open, questions had been raised over news conferences and their impact on mental health for athletes.

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The Japanese player pulled out of the Roland Garros last Monday, a day after tournament organisers fined the four-time Grand Slam champion and threatened her with more severe sanctions for refusing to attend mandatory media conferences.

The 23-year-old had opened up about her mental health problems, revealing in a statement she has had 'long bouts of depression’ since claiming the 2018 US Open.

(With input from agencies)