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Will Smith pens note of support to Naomi Osaka amid French Open controversy: ‘They are wrong’

The New York Daily News
Jun 04, 2021

Will Smith is standing with Naomi Osaka.

The Hollywood heavyweight is raising his voice — and pen — in support of the tennis champ, who pulled out of the French Open on Monday after being fined for skipping the traditional post-match press conference.

On Thursday, the “Men In Black” star shared an encouraging handwritten message to the 23-year-old sports icon.

The note simply reads: “Hey Naomi, You are Right. They are Wrong! I am with You.”

Smith signed the note by drawing a heart over his autograph.

Osaka explained that she withdrew from the French Open for mental health reasons, writing: “The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018, and I have had a really hard time coping with that.”

When it comes to speaking with the media, the world’s highest paid female athlete says it causes her “huge waves of anxiety” and that she finds the overall practice “stressful.”

Osaka was fined $15,000 for refusing to participate in the press conference and was threatened with disqualification for other events.

“Repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament and the trigger of a major offence investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions,” they said.

Following the ultimatum, she gave the French Open the heave ho — sending shock waves throughout the sport.

While Osaka drew some detractors within the tennis world (and polarizing British TV personality Piers Morgan), she gained an outpouring of support from fellow athletes and celebrity notables including Serena Williams, Russell Wilson, Steph Curry, Pink and Nicki Minaj.

Sports apparel giant Nike, credit card company Master Card and Japanese automaker Nissan —with whom Osaka has partnerships — also expressed support.

©2021 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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