Serena Williams offers words of support to Naomi Osaka after her French Open withdrawl

Yesterday, Tennis champion and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open after the tournament organizers slapped her with a $15,000 fine for not completing her press conference obligations. Naomi released a statement on social media citing mental health concerns and bouts of depression caused by media engagements as the impetus for her withdrawal.

Now, many star athletes and celeb supporters are coming to her defense, including frequent opponent and Tennis superstar Serena Williams.

“I feel for Naomi,” Serena said during her own French Open press conference. “I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like.”

She continued, “Like I said, I’ve been in those positions. We have different personalities, and people are different. Not everyone is the same. I'm thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently. 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.”

Serena, who is currently chasing a record-tying 24^th Gram Slam singles title, added that many of the press conferences have been "very difficult" for her.

Earlier this year, we saw exactly what she meant by that when she choked up during a press conference after Naomi Osaka beat her in a match at the Australian Open. Dropping her head after a reporter asked her if she had a “bad day at the office,” Serena abruptly stood up and said, “I’m done,” ending the conference in tears. 

Yesterday, in her withdrawal announcement, Naomi wrote, “The best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.”

"I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly."

The four-time Grand Slam winner, who is only 23, revealed she's "suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018" and that post-match interviews made her "get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world's media."

"I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can. So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences," she continued.

"I'm gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans."

Other star athletes, celebs, and notable personalities have chimed in on her decision, offering her waves of love and support.

In the comments section of her Instagram post, Olympic track star Usain Bolt commented with prayer hand emojis. "So proud of you. Take care of yourself and see you back winning soon!” Venus Williams said. Naomi's boyfriend Cordae commented, "No need to apologize to ANYBODY !" Chelsea Handler wrote, "Good for you," while Rita Wilson told the tennis star to "Take care of yourself" and "Stay well."

On Twitter, tweets of support flowed in following her announcement. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, “So proud of you.”

Actress Jameela Jamil wrote, “Let’s boycott the French open. Naomi is the most exciting player anyway. Imagine punishing someone for having anxiety... in 2021.”

Basketball all-star Stephen Curry tweeted, “You shouldnt ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own. major respect.”

Other tennis all-stars also came to Naomi’s defense. Billie Jean King, who has a whopping 39 Grand Slam wins in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles to her name, and whose records both Serena and Naomi seek to top, also tweeted her support, writing it was "incredibly brave" of her to share her internal battles. 

18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova tweeted well wishes and expressed how athletes are so often to care for their body and then perform at the expense of their mental health. 

Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez posted, "Even though it shouldn't have to be like this, I'm proud of you for putting your foot down. Your mental health matters and should always come first."

Grand Slam tennis competitor Coco Gauff tweeted, "Stay strong I admire your vulnerability."

Roland Garros, the organizers behind the French Open, released a statement on Sunday, writing that her intention to refrain from all press obligations could mean her expulsion from further tournaments in the future, like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open.

“The Roland-Garros teams asked her to reconsider her position and tried unsuccessfully to speak with her to check on her well-being, understand the specifics of her issue, and what might be done to address it on site. She was also reminded of her obligations, the consequences of not meeting them, and that rules should equally apply to all players."

BEFORE YOU GO: Naomi Osaka drops out of the French Open

[video_embed id='2212928']BEFORE YOU GO: Naomi Osaka drops out of the French Open[/video_embed]