Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka will sit out of Wimbledon this year after withdrawing from the French Open, but will play at the Tokyo Olympics, per a reported statement from her agent Thursday.
The World No. 2 played her first round match at Roland Garros then pulled out after drawing backlash and inciting intense debate around her decision to not do press conferences at the tournament. In a statement on May 31 explaining her choice, Osaka said she would be taking time away from the sport and that she has been suffering from "long bouts of depression" since the 2018 U.S. Open.
“Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year. She is taking some personal time with friends and family," Osaka's agent reportedly said. "She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.”
The news comes shortly after Wimbledon organizers said they had reached out to Osaka and other players to discuss media plans, according to the BBC.
The 23-year-old Osaka, who represents Japan, could be one of the biggest stars of her home Games. Earlier Thursday, two-time Olympic gold medalist Rafael Nadal announced that he would not be playing at Wimbledon or at the Tokyo Games. Other big names including Serena Williams and Roger Federer, although both mathematically qualified, have publicly expressed uncertainty as to whether they will go to Tokyo.