Serena Williams & More Support Naomi Osaka After French Open Exit

Athletes across the globe are standing with Naomi Osaka after the tennis champion withdrew from the French Open on Monday.

That day on social media, the reigning U.S. Open and Australian Open singles champion announced her exit from the competition after declining to do press for mental health reasons.

"Hey everyone, this isn't a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris," the 23-year-old wrote.

"I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly,” she added, describing herself as an “introvert” who is “not a natural public speaker” and has suffered from “long bouts of depression” as well as “social anxiety.”

Prior to the tournament, Osaka announced she would not be doing press to preserve her mental health.

"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health, and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," she wrote in a since-deleted IG post last week. "We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me."

"I've watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well. I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while their down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it,” she continued, adding that she hopes the board of Grand Slam tennis tournaments will donate the money from her expected fines to a mental health charity.

On Sunday after Osaka's first win, the board did, in fact, fine her $15,000 for not doing press, and warned that she could face more serious consequences in the future.

Following Osaka's exit, numerous athletes from various sports supported the Japanese tennis player and her mental health advocacy.

During a post-match news conference on Monday, fellow tennis star Serena Williams told reporters, “I feel for Naomi. Not everyone is the same. I'm thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently. You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to and the best way she thinks she can. That's the only thing I can say: I think she is doing the best she can.”

Williams added that many of her press conferences have been "very difficult," but they have "made me stronger."

Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, wrote on Twitter Monday:

Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez applauded Osaka by saying:

NBA star Stephen Curry added: