"You still have to show up for the press" - Sharapova praises Osaka but is against skipping press conferences

Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova chimed in on the controversy surrounding Naomi Osaka and her stance on talking with the media, stating that although she supported Osaka's views on mental health, athletes were still obligated to talk to the press after matches.

The five-time Grand Slam champion urged people to be supportive of Osaka, stating the there should be more compassion shown towards athletes during their periods of vulnerability.

"We all need to be incredibly supportive of athletes who are going through tough times in their careers," said Sharapova. "We all need to respect the decisions that players make at times of vulnerability, when they’re feeling down or not playing their best tennis."

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Sharapova would go on to praise Osaka, calling the Japanese superstar an incredible athlete with a very long career ahead of her. She added that although Osaka was at the top of her game professionally, no one knew what she was going through in her private life.

"To be honest, not many people know what’s going on behind the scenes and how players feel," added Sharapova. "You only see the tennis game and what happens on the court. The more support that we can provide, the better they will be and the better that they will play."

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However, the Russian believed that players still had to speak to the media after matches, although she agreed that the press and public should respect boundaries when dealing with players.

"You still have to show up for the press, be professional, be better and speak about the match," Sharapova stated. :It’s about setting certain rules,' she said. 'Every individual is different. What’s sensitive for one person might not be for another, and vice versa.

"If you’re an athlete, it’s really about understanding what’s best for you. It’s your career and you have to take ownership. Athletes certainly have the ability to do that today, which is really important."