Lewis Hamilton pledges his support to Naomi Osaka over French Open decision

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3 years ago

Lewis Hamilton spoke out on Twitter after Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open on Monday

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has come out in support of Naomi Osaka who withdrew from the French Open in Paris. The move was taken after her refusal to take part in post-match interviews last week.

Hamilton revealed that he suffered mental health issues early on in his career

Hamilton, who has opened up about his own mental health struggles in his career, urged people to check in with closed ones and never make them feel alone.

“We are only human beings,” wrote Hamilton on his Twitter.

“Mental health is not a joke, this is real and serious. This takes a lot of courage to do. Let’s all make sure Naomi knows she’s not alone.”

-Lewis Hamilton ( h/t Twitter )

The Mercedes driver’s statement comes in the aftermath of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams empathising with Osaka, saying: “The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi.

Osaka was the No. 2 seed at Roland Garros

“I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like. Like I said, I’ve been in those positions. We have different personalities, and people are different.” (h/t Roland Garros)

Naomi Osaka’s role in the Black Lives Matter Movement

Earlier, in 2020, Lewis Hamilton described Naomi Osaka as ‘an incredible inspiration’ for the moral stand she took at the US Open. Osaka won her third Grand Slam crown at Flushing Meadows, wearing the name of a different victim of racial discrimination on her face-mask in every single round.

Osaka wore a different face-mask of every victim as part of the BLM movement

The Japanese said that the purpose was to ‘get people talking’ and was hailed for her display by the sporting world.

Meanwhile, Osaka’s unfortunate withdrawal means that her wait for her first major at Paris goes on for another year.

Statement from Roland Garros

French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton said the withdrawal was “unfortunate” in a statement.

“We are sorry and sad for Naomi and wish her the best and quickest possible recovery. We look forward to having Naomi at our tournament next year,” he added. ( h/t Roland Garros.com )

Osaka will be looking to come back stronger at the next WTA Open in Budapest.