Naomi Osaka broke her social-media silence to share an image herself on the cover ofVogue Japan.- Osaka has barely posted on social media since withdrawing from the French Open.
- The 23-year-old is skipping Wimbledon so she can prepare for the Tokyo Olympics in a month.
The Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka briefly broke her social-media silence to share an image of herself posing on the cover of the August edition of Vogue Japan.
The 23-year-old posted on her social media to share the image of her on the cover alongside the caption "HERE I AM." It was just her second time posting since she withdrew from the French Open.
"Hi guys. Popping out to post this Vogue Japan cover, hope you're all doing well and staying safe," she wrote alongside the image.
Osaka made headlines last month when she announced she would not be fulfilling her media obligations during the French Open, a decision that was greeted with a fine by the Roland Garros organizers.
She later withdrew from the tournament, citing her mental health. Her decision was supported by other tennis stars such as Serena Williams and Andy Murray as well as athletes outside the sport including Lewis Hamilton and Steph Curry.
Since the announcement, Osaka has taken a break from social media. During the French Open she posted a message of thanks to fans who supported her withdrawal, but she went quiet again until Monday, when she shared the coming magazine cover.
-NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 21, 2021
The post comes just over a month before the Olympic Games are scheduled to begin. Osaka announced last week that she would not take part in this year's Wimbledon tournament, instead focusing on securing gold for Japan.
The world No. 2's first action of the games is expected July 24, when the women's singles first round is scheduled at Ariake Tennis Park.