Naomi had announced she would boycott all media activities and was fined $15k for the first boycott before she decided to pull out. Sad one!
The Press release reads....
“Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my wellbeing 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 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 truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.
“Anyone that knows me knows I am introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.
“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and 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. I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.
“I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the Slams are intense.
“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.
“Anyways hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I’ll see you when I see you.”
“Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my wellbeing 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 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 truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.
“Anyone that knows me knows I am introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.
“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and 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. I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.
“I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the Slams are intense.
“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.
“Anyways hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I’ll see you when I see you.”
Sending you lots of love Naomi!!!
The world is really putting too.much pressures on young celebrities. I pray her father is with her at all times to direct her path well before she join in taking cokes
ReplyDeleteWelldone Naomi, you are the winner here.
ReplyDeleteThe press should find another meat to feed on.
Mental health and depression should not be joked with.
You knew what you were getting yourself into when you decided to go professional. Media activities comes with the sport. It’s an integral part of the sports profession. Claiming mental health makes you nervous makes you less of a professional but you never had any problem with the prize money, playing in front of millions or having your pictures and clips of your performance splashed in media outlets world over. It’s just an interview, build on your stagecraft and emotional intelligence. Talk to the press, lap up the publicity and strut off, is that too much to ask? Some people…… and drama, always playing the victim. Queen Naomi, you will be alright las las
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:23, please be nice.
DeleteShaking my head! Some people eh! I hope you walk in her shoes one day and understand how she feels. Some people deal with anxiety before a big event! That She's a good tennis player dies not mean she has excwllent public speaking skills especially when she's battling anxiety before the event. Sge stated clearly that she us ready to talk after the event so you should understand that it's the pre event anxiety she's battling. She's a young girl and with time will learn how to handle events like this. Allow her. Now she has forfeited the match and the prize so you know that the money is not so important to her
Delete@Anon 9:23
DeleteHaba be nice na. Why you dey beef someone old enough to be your younger sibling (or even child sef). Do you know what it means to protect one's mental health? That's what this young lady is asking for. Rather than be understanding, you're hear talking gibberish! If you ain't got anything good to say, then don't say nothing!
gosh people like you are just not to be friends with...see how you have taken the whole thing south...it is talk like yours that fuel these issues. nobody was created to be perfect so anyone who allows todays soulless society pressure them is in trouble
DeleteI didnt understand what her issue was until she put up videos.
ReplyDeleteSome of these journalists are mean. You lose a match and they will ask you how do you feel losing. Really?
A young Venus Williams was being interviewed post match and she was so confident that she will win (which she did) the white racist journalist was asking her why is she confident??? Can you imagine.
Thank God her father intervened...if not that man would have destroyed her.
I'm glad she is taking her mental Health seriously. The money is not important...herself first.
Yes na. As a fan, I wanna know how she feels losing. Lmaooo.#cruise
DeleteGood move Champ👍 your mental health is far more important than playing to the gallery to satisfy people
ReplyDeleteShe should be focus, not by force to grant interview but then, she can say few words and move.
ReplyDeleteI am with you Naomi, the sports institute should regulate all this interviews. Na by force to grant interview. Some days you just want to rest after a game. Talking is optional
ReplyDeleteMental health doesn't discriminate be you poor,rich,black,white,from Mars or pluto.
ReplyDeleteIts real and I wish her a speedy recovery.
As much as I agree with her, she should learn to avoid questions that irks her. Sports media goes a long way to help athletes flourish.
ReplyDeleteLovelace.
Some people just want you to KEEP PERFORMING for their ENTERTAINMENT forgetting you are a human being with feelings and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteNaomi, wise choice! 👍💪
Yeye people, they want to ruin her life like they have many others. Kolewerk.
ReplyDeleteI understand exactly how she feels because I suffer from social anxiety myself. I can't imagine having to talk to a lot people,with cameras all in face, and my words being scrutinized and dissected. It will drive me crazy. She made the best decision.
ReplyDelete