Williams supports Osaka after French Open withdrawal: "I wish I could give her a hug"
WTATuesday, 01 June 2021 at 14:00
Naomi Osaka's shock French Open withdrawal sent shockwaves through the tennis world on Monday night but for Serena Williams who was preparing to face Irina-Camelia Begu in her first round, she was none the wiser.
Williams spoke afterwards in support of Osaka and wished she could give the 23-year-old a hug as she knows what the situation is like.
"Honestly I just found out before I walked into the press conference, so that's the extent of it right now for me," Williams said. "The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it's like. I've been in those positions."
"We have different personalities, and people are different. Not everyone is the same. I'm thick. Other people are thin. You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to, in the best way she thinks she can."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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