Haitian-Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is checking in on her fans after going off social media for nearly three weeks. She shared a cute message on her Instagram alongside gorgeous photos from her new cover shoot for Vogue Japan’s August issue.
“Hi, guys. Popping out to post this @voguejapan cover, hope you’re all doing well and staying safe,” the 23-year-old four-time grand slam winner wrote.
Hi guys. Popping out to post this @voguemagazine Japan cover, hope you’re all doing well and staying safe ?? pic.twitter.com/BknA93iApN
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— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 21, 2021
Her glossy photos show the highest-paid female athlete in a Louis Vuitton bralette paired with orange pants, a Louis Vuitton side bag, and her luscious mane floating all around her, per The Daily Mail.
In some other photos, she dons colorful apparel from one of her sponsors, Nike. Many of her fans and celebrity friends like Venus Williams, Nicki Minaj, and Saweetie are in awe of her and showering her with praises.
The young tennis icon was recently fined $15,000 after she did not appear at a press conference at the French Open. Osaka, who had initially signaled her intention to avoid the press during the French Open because of mental health reasons, subsequently announced her withdrawal from the competition
She has used her platform to share her struggles with depression since the U.S. Open in 2018.
“Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that sees me at the tournaments will notice that I am often wearing headphones as that dulls my anxiety.
“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media. I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.”
The tennis star turned entrepreneur and fashion icon shared in her last social media appearance that, ‘I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press, and fans.’
Many athletes including fellow tennis icon Serena Williams rallied around Osaka in solidarity with the mental health of people in their industry. “The only thing I feel is that I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug because I know what it’s like. I’ve been in those positions,” Williams said.
“We have different personalities, and people are different. Not everyone is the same. I’m thick. Other people are thin. You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to, in the best way she thinks she can.”
