Russians can qualify for Olympic spots in some sports, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be allowed in Paris

The world No. 2, who withdrew from both the French Open and Wimbledon for mental health reasons, is scheduled to return at the global event later this month.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Jul 06, 2021

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LOOKING BACK: When Osaka ended her tournament at Roland Garros

Naomi Osaka plans to play the Olympics and do press conferences at the event, according to Japanese broadcasters.

The world No. 2, who withdrew from both the French Open and Wimbledon, is scheduled to return at the global event in Tokyo later this month.

"I am preparing myself little by little so I can be at the top of my game for the Olympics," she told broadcaster NHK.

According to news agency Kyodo, Osaka also told NHK she "would take part in news conferences while giving consideration to her mental health."

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Osaka's first tour-level final appearance came on home soil in Tokyo (September 2016).

The 23-year-old has not played since being fined for skipping her first-round press conference at the French Open. She then pulled out of the Paris major ahead of her second-round match when the four Grand Slams indicated they would consider defaulting her for further refusals.

Osaka had announced before Roland Garros that she had decided not to do press conferences after finding they affect the "mental health" of athletes and create "doubt" for her. Upon withdrawing, she posted on social media that she had experienced "long bouts of depression" since claiming her first Grand Slam title at the 2018 US Open.

Osaka has also won three other major trophies, including her second Australian Open in February.

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