Golf-Ishikawa says Osaka has been so strong but everyone has a weak point
16/06/2021 20:25
By Andrew Both
SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 16 (Reuters) - Japanese Golfer Ryo
Ishikawa said compatriot Naomi Osaka had suffered a "tough time"
and he understood her decision to skip news conferences at
tennis's French Open.
Osaka withdrew from the French Open last month before the
second round in the wake of controversy caused by her decision
to skip some of her mandatory post-match media commitments.
She revealed that she had been suffering bouts of anxiety
and depression since bursting into the limelight by winning the
U.S. Open in 2018, the first of her four Grand Slams.
Ishikawa has always spoken freely to the media at
tournaments, and the generosity of his time has made him a
beloved figure with reporters and fans alike.
He was a superstar in Japan long before Osaka, but can put
himself in the shoes of the media-shy tennis world number two.
"I thought she was OK -- she's been so strong these past few
years -- but every person has a weak point," Ishikawa told
Reuters ahead of Thursday's opening round of the U.S. Open at
Torrey Pines.
"She looked strong all the time but I think she has a tough
time and I can understand what her thinking is about."
Ishikawa wondered if Osaka was tired of being asked
non-tennis questions, or had been trying to avoid any negative
thoughts about her game drifting into her head.
"She was asked not just tennis questions, a lot of
non-tennis things. Especially just before the event, we always
want to be focused on the tournament," Ishikawa said.
While Ishikawa is outgoing and usually seems genuinely to
enjoy his interviews, this has never been the case for the more
introverted Osaka.
"I always talk to media when asked but it's sometimes
tough," said Ishikawa, who often uses a post-round interview to
analyse his performance and hopefully learn from his mistakes.
"At the same time I have to separate it. If I play not so
good, you still have to be positive and that's a good time for
thinking about my golf.
"Sometimes you want to forget the day but ... the time with
the media I still focus on my golf."
(Reporting by Andrew Both
Editing by Toby Davis)
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