Naomi Osaka, arguably the best female tennis player in the world, withdrew from the French Open on Monday after a dispute over her boycotting news conferences led to the 23-year-old star being forced to choose between her mental well-being and her responsibilities as one of the most visible figures in the sport.
In her wake, she leaves questions about mental health, the humanity of athletes and the media’s role in all of it.
She also indirectly caused the amazingly ironic scene of French Open President Gilles Moretton responding to her withdrawal during a news conference Tuesday in which he did not take any questions.