Though admitting she could 'feel' the four-time Grand Slam champion, the tennis superstar insists that 'everyone is different and everyone handles things differently.'
- Jun 1, 2021
AceShowbiz - Serena Williams is sharing her thoughts on how she handles media exposure after matches. In the wake of Naomi Osaka's withdrawal drama from the 2021 French Open, the former world No. 1 in women's single tennis claimed that scrutiny during news conferences has made her "stronger."
After her first-round victory on Monday, May 31, the 39-year-old athlete discussed her anxiety when it came to dealing with the media. Admitting to enduring such experiences after matches, she spilled, "Many of them I've been into where I've been - very difficult to walk in in those moments. But you know, it made me stronger."
"I feel for Naomi," Serena then addressed the situation Naomi is in. She went on to remind, "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's comments came hours after Naomi withdrew from French Open amid scrutiny over her decision to boycott talking to the media. Just one day after she was fined $15,000 for skipping her post-match press conference, the four-time Grand Slam champion announced her decision to pull herself out via Twitter.
In a lengthy statement, Naomi explained the reasons behind her withdrawal. "Hey everyone, this isn't a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago," the four-time Grand Slam champion penned. "I think now 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 23-year-old tennis player continued. "The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that."
