"If anyone is giving Naomi too much attention it's you" - Journalist Ben Rothenberg hits out at fan accusing Naomi Osaka of hogging the spotlight
Renowned journalist Ben Rothenburg has lambasted a fan who tweeted that Naomi Osaka is getting too much attention.
Osaka, who admitted to grappling with mental health issues last year, has received support and criticism in almost equal measure. Most fans and fellow players have been sympathetic to her and thankful that she raised a very pertinent issue that could afflict anyone. However, there have been others who feel she is overplaying the issue for the sake of publicity.
Seeded second at Roland Garros last year, she refused to do a mandatory interview with the press following her first-round win. Faced with a threat of disqualification, she withdrew from the tournament, citing mental health issues. She also pulled out of Wimbledon but appeared at the Tokyo Olympics.
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Osaka is one of the most marketable and popular athletes in the world, topping Forbes' list of highest paid female athletes. She has worked with several brands and companies and commands the lion's share of the spotlight at every tournament she plays in.
She made a return to Cincinnati but announced another break after an early US Open exit. Osaka made her return to action earlier this year and admitted that she's having a 'blast on the court' for the first time in a while.
One fan tweeted:
"It's ridiculous Naomi get that much attention."
However, Rothenberg hit back, saying:
"Bruh if anyone is giving Naomi too much attention it's you. ... from a quick look you've tweeted about her 30+ times this year and lost $1000 betting against her. Must suck to suck."
bruh if anyone is giving Naomi too much attention it's you...from a quick look you've tweeted about her 30+ times this year and lost $1000 betting against her. Must suck to suck. twitter.com/jmkmrk81/statu… https://t.co/DpbVEJVv1N
The same fan also replied to Jose Morgado, also a journalist, with a similar tweet attacking Osaka.
@josemorgado Anytime Naomi gets embarrassed it’s a good day
Naomi Osaka's 2022 campaign so far
Naomi Osaka started her 2022 campaign at the Melbourne Summer Set 1, where she made the quarterfinals.
On her next stop at the Australian Open, she reached the third round, losing to Amanda Anisimova in a third-set tie-break. She suffered a round-of-64 exit in Indian Wells but made an inspired run to the Miami final, where she was beaten by Iga Swiatek. That run helped her move from No. 77 to 35th in the world.
Osaka won her opener against Anastasia Potapova at Madrid Open. However, she lost her next match against Sara Sorribes Tormo to exit the tournament.
Currently ranked No. 38th in the world, Osaka has withdrawn from the ongoing Italian Open in Rome due to an ankle injury she sustained in Madrid.
“Unfortunately I’m going to have to withdraw from Rome as the injury which I picked up last week in Madrid hasn’t healed yet. It’s an Achilles injury so I need to be careful especially in advance of Roland Garros."
It remains to be seen if she will recover in time to feature at Roland Garros.