Will Naomi Osaka play in Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Berlin snub puts Wimbledon and Summer Games in doubt
- Japanese star skips German grass court event to put Wimbledon appearance in doubt ahead of June 28 start at SW19
- Media pressure that saw 23-year-old walk away from French Open is not going to be any less for her home Olympics in July
“We have received notification Naomi Osaka cannot start in Berlin. After consulting her management, she will take a break,” the Berlin tournament organisers said in a statement ahead of the tournament which begins on June 14.
The four-time slam winner has opted to sit out the German grass court tournament, which is a tune-up for Wimbledon, and it is unclear whether the break will end before SW19 or even the tennis tournament at the Summer Games.
Wimbledon starts on June 28, with the Olympics beginning less than a month later on July 23.
The last word on the Games was back in April ahead of the Italian Open.
“Of course, I want the Olympics to happen, but I think there’s so much important stuff going on, especially the past year,” she said at a news conference.
Tennis and NBA stars back Naomi Osaka for French Open exit
“A lot of unexpected things have happened. For me, I feel like if it’s putting people at risk … then it definitely should be a discussion, which I think it is as of right now. At the end of the day I’m just an athlete, and there is a whole pandemic going on, so, yeah.”
Osaka has since pulled out of the French Open and made it clear why. Days after she said that she would not be doing press at Roland Garros and following a US$15,000 fine, the 23-year-old offered her resignation from the clay slam in Paris.
She has been away from the limelight since she won her first round match in Paris against Patricia Tig of Romania last week and subsequently left before the second round.
This past weekend she returned to social media for the first time to thank fans on Instagram.
“Just want to say thank you for all the love. Haven’t been on my phone much but I wanted to hop on here and tell you all that I really appreciate it,” Osaka wrote.
French Open: Osaka called their bluff, who will call the shots?
The Japanese Tennis Association has been supportive of Osaka’s decision to walk away from the French Open, as have sponsors and the public.
However, that support would be tested were she to steer clear of the Olympics – a Games that she is expected to be the face of, no less.
Osaka is not only a genuine medal hope for the hosts but she has been talked of as one of the country’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony on July 23. She is one of the most marketable athletes in the world and nowhere more so than Japan.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open after row over media boycott
If her “break” includes Wimbledon that will increase media scrutiny on Osaka and her return – even if her stance ahead of the French Open was taken to decrease media pressure – but that would be nothing if she has not made an announcement on the Olympics.
As of now – with another playbook to come later this month – media are limited to 90-second interviews with athletes after events, among other restrictions.
Time will tell but everyone will want Osaka back from her break in time for Tokyo.
