Beth Harris
AP Sports Writer
Since retiring from the French Open in May and skipping Wimbledon, Naomi Osaka returned to the spotlight for the first time, posing on the red carpet of ESPYS on July 10.
The world’s highest paid female athlete faced a large number of photographers in New York. When the camera clicked frantically, someone urged her to “smile.” In response, Osaka closed his mouth and smiled slightly.
Osaka won the trophies for the best female sports athlete and the best female tennis player in the annual performance of the best athlete of the year and sports moments. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it moved from Los Angeles to New York this year to perform an outdoor performance that distanced itself from society.
Osaka, who won four Grand Slam titles, withdrew from the French Open before the second round. She said she was “full of great anxiety” and “suffered long-term depression” before being interviewed by the media. She also missed Wimbledon. She will represent her native Japan in the Tokyo Olympics.
Before taking the stage, she gave high fives to her boyfriend and rapper Cordae from YBN Collective.
“I really don’t want to talk about it, because I’m a little nervous,” Osaka said. “This year really is, it’s not even over yet, but it’s really tough for many of us. For me, I just want to say that I really love you.”
