When Naomi Osaka won the US Open in 2018, she pulled down her visor to hide her tears.
It was her maiden Grand Slam title, she had beaten the great Serena Williams to win it, and she had a bright future ahead.
Except that the victory had come in unusual and traumatic fashion, with boos and controversy surrounding Williams’ infamous outburst at the umpire.
And we now know that this title also marked the start of the “long bouts of depression” that have led to Osaka pulling out of the French Open in a move that has sent shockwaves through the sport and raised the prospect of some soul-searching for the authorities and media.
Roland Garros is now without one of the sport’s biggest stars, and despite Osaka’s desire to not “be a distraction” she and the issues she raises are firmly in the spotlight.
See full BBC article here – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57311128