Tennis journalist Carole Bouchard believes Osaka should learn from Sharapova

Despite winning the Australian Open earlier this year, Naomi Osaka has had a perplexing season, as the Japanese superstar has dealt with mental health issues that have seen her withdraw from several events.

The former World No.1 recently announced her withdrawal from the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, and her decision has cast doubt over her participation during the rest of the 2021 season. In an episode of Tennis Majors Match Points, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, journalists Simon Cambers and Carole Bouchard spoke on Osaka's current situation.

Bouchard believes that the Japanese superstar needed some assistance in managing her newfound stardom, and insisted Osaka should learn from retired pro and former World No.1 Maria Sharapova on how to handle fame.

"She should learn from Sharapova, you have to be responsible for what you are doing and your destiny," said Bouchard. "In a way, saying no to a photo shoot if you don't have a say, so she really dealt with the Russian. I think maybe she is feeling that she is losing control over what is happening around her because she is not in her power."