Naomi Osaka has revealed that she will fulfill her press conference duties at the rescheduled Olympic Games in Tokyo next month.
The world number two withdrew from several tennis tournaments including the French Open and Wimbledon to deal with anxiety and depression issues.
In an email exchange, Osaka told Japanese state broadcaster NHK that she started practicing again late last month ahead of the start of the women's singles tennis event at the Games on 24 July.
"I am preparing myself little by little so I can be at the top of my game for the Olympics," Osaka wrote in a message published by the broadcaster. "Since getting the attention of the world, I've always had bouts of anxiety. This is especially the case in the lead up to big competitions."
The 23-year-old has said that "her Japanese citizenship is a big motivation" and the broadcaster adds 'she is preparing herself little by little so she can be at the top of her game for the Olympics'.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021
Osaka also told the broadcaster that she will attend news conferences in Tokyo.
She withdrew from the first Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros following her first-round win against Patricia Tig after coming under fire for her decision to not attend the post-match press conferences.
The world no.2 was fined $15,000 by tournament organisers, and threatened with expulsion from the French Opoen and other Grand Slams if she did not reverse her decision not to attend press conferences.
In a subsequent statement posted on Twitter, Osaka revealed that she has "suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018".
Then in mid-June, she released a statement announcing her withdrawal from Wimbledon.
"Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year," read the statement.
"She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans."
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