Serena Williams mentioned she “feels for” Naomi Osaka and has additionally skilled “very troublesome” press conferences in her profession after her rival’s shock withdrawal from the French Open on Monday. Japanese star Osaka pulled out of the match after being threatened with disqualification for declining to talk to the media, saying she suffers from “bouts of melancholy”. Williams, who famously misplaced to Osaka within the controversial 2018 US Open closing, mentioned she sympathises with Osaka. “The one factor I really feel is that I really feel for Naomi. I really feel like I want I may give her a hug as a result of I do know what it’s like,” mentioned the 39-year-old, after her first-round 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 win over Irina-Camelia Begu within the first ever night time match at Roland Garros.
“Now we have completely different personalities, and persons are completely different. Not everybody is similar. I’m thick. Different persons are skinny.
“Everyone seems to be completely different and everybody handles issues in another way. You simply need to let her deal with it the best way she needs to…
“I’ve been the place I’ve been very troublesome to stroll in (to press conferences) in these moments. However, , it made me stronger.”
Williams, seeded seventh this yr, saved two set factors in a first-set tie-break as she began her newest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.
Williams, who has misplaced 4 main finals since her final Slam success on the 2017 Australian Open, will tackle Begu’s compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu within the second spherical.
“It wasn’t simple in that first set. I used to be up and I felt like I had some alternatives. She’s a very good participant, she’s had some actually good wins so I used to be actually completely happy I used to be capable of get that first set and the match,” mentioned the three-time Roland Garros champion.
The primary official night time match underneath the lights on Courtroom Philippe Chatrier was performed behind closed doorways because of a 9pm curfew imposed by the French authorities because of Covid-19.
Williams, who had suffered early defeats in each Roma and Parma earlier this month, improved because the match progressed.
Begu fought again from 5-2 down within the opening set, however did not serve it out when main 6-5 after which noticed two set factors come and go when main the breaker 6-4.
Williams wanted just one alternative, driving a forehand volley into the nook to take management.
The previous world primary strengthened her grip on the tie by breaking 74th-ranked Begu within the first sport of the second set.
She moved by the gears on her personal serve from there and broke once more within the seventh sport earlier than wrapping up victory after an hour and 42 minutes.
Learn all of the Newest Information, Breaking Information and Coronavirus Information right here