Naomi Osaka posed for a Sports Illustrated cover shoot
(Picture: Yu Tsai/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED)Naomi Osaka hit back at critics on Tuesday after becoming the first female black athlete to star on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition.
The 23-year-old is set for a comeback at the Olympics despite dramatically withdrawing from the public eye citing mental health issues last month.
Her appearance in Sports Illustrated sparked a flurry of comments from critics, who mocked her decision to appear on magazine covers while complaining about the media.
Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan alleged the “only media” she tolerates “are sycophantic magazine editors telling her how perfect she is”.
But four-time Slam champion Osaka replied to one accuser saying she did the photoshoot and others last year — before she stepped out of the limelight.
NBC and Fox News host Megyn Kelly tweeted: “Since saying she’s too introverted to talk to the media after tennis matches, Naomi Osaka has launched a reality show, a Barbie, and now is on the cover of the SI swimsuit issue.”
Osaka responded: “Seeing as you’re a journalist I would’ve assumed you would take the time to research what the lead times are for magazines, if you did that you would’ve found out I shot all of my covers last year. Instead your first reaction is to hop on here and spew negativity, do better, Megan [sic].”
The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is an annual magazine that features female athletes and celebrities modelling swimwear. The cover is viewed as prestigious in American culture.
Osaka star caused a storm when she announced she would skip all her press conferences at the French Open to protect her mental health — before quitting the tournament and withdrawing from Wimbledon — citing bouts of depression since winning her first grand slam title in 2018.
