French Open 2021 - Novak Djokovic praises Naomi Osaka for mental health stand, hits out at Grand Slams

Updated 02/06/2021 at 10:16 GMT

The 2021 Australian Open champion has supported his fellow tennis player’s decision to take time away from the court and not talk to media. He also had some interesting thoughts about the role the media plays in the current era given the reach that social media can provide to the game’s biggest athletes.

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Osaka then took matters into her own hands, withdrawing from the tournament off her own accord and saying she was going to take some time away from the court.

Speaking after his first round victory over Tennys Sandgren at Roland-Garros, Djokovi backed Osaka’s decision.

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“I support her,” he said. “I think she was very brave to do that. I’m really sorry that she is going through painful times and suffering mentally.

“This was, I must say, a very bold decision from her side. If she needs to take time and reflect and just recharge that’s what she needed to do, and I respect it fully. I hope that she’ll come back stronger.”

Djokovic had harsher words for the Grand Slams and the decisions they had made. The four major tournaments released a new statement after a backlash to their first one, and they offered Osaka their support.

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“The Grand Slams are protecting themselves and their own business,” said Djokovic.

“Of course they are going to follow the rules and they are going to make sure that you are complying. Otherwise you’ll be paying fines and getting sanctioned. It’s not surprising to me that was their reaction.”

The world number one also reminded them that times have changed and the world’s biggest stars now have their own platform to keep their supporters informed.

“It used to be the (traditional media) was the only way we can reach out to our fans, right, in the last five years or maybe 10 years, it’s not the case anymore,” he said.

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“We have our own platforms, our own social media accounts through which we are able to communicate directly with fans.

“Naomi, she’s very young and she grew up with obviously with social media and ability to speak out through her channels.”

Djokovic in the Cube – Don’t reveal my secrets

After his comprehensive straight sets victory over Sandgren Djokovic joined Barbara Schett and Mats Wilander in the Cube.

He was asked by Schett if he had a secret tell on his serve with going down the T with lots of bounces and out wide with fewer bounces, Djokovic joked with his response.