Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open, saying Monday that she will "take some time away from the court" one day after she was fined and threatened harsher sanctions for skipping her mandatory media obligations.
Osaka, in a statement posted to social media, said she "never wanted to be a distraction" and that her withdrawal is "the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being."
The four Grand Slam tournaments announced Sunday that Osaka could face severe punishment -- including potential default from the French Open -- if she continued to avoid speaking to the media.