<p>Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called Thursday for more support for young athletes dealing with media duties after four-time Grand Slam champion tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open citing her mental health.</p>.<p>Osaka withdrew from the tournament on Monday after she was fined for refusing to attend the typical post-match news conference following her first-round victory. The Japanese player said on social media that she faced “huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world's media."</p>.<p>Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton was critical of the French Open organisers.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/naomi-osaka-and-the-changing-power-dynamics-in-sports-992774.html" target="_blank">Naomi Osaka and the changing power dynamics in sports</a></strong></p>.<p>“The way they reacted was not good with the fine and someone talking about their personal mental health and then being fined for it, that wasn’t cool. I think they could have definitely handled it better, I’m sure. I hope they will take a deep dive into it and find a better way to navigate in the future,” Hamilton said.</p>.<p>Hamilton said he had felt overwhelmed by media obligations around the time he joined F1 in 2007 when he was 22.</p>.<p>“When I was young, I was thrown into the pit and I wasn’t given any guidance or support. And what I do know is that, you know, when youngsters are coming in, they’re facing the same thing as I did. And I don’t necessarily know if that’s the best for them," Hamilton said.</p>.<p>"I think we need to be supporting more and I think it shouldn’t be a case where you’re pressured.</p>.<p>“For example, with Naomi’s scenario, she didn’t feel comfortable for her own personal health not to do something. And the backlash is ridiculous.”</p>
<p>Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called Thursday for more support for young athletes dealing with media duties after four-time Grand Slam champion tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open citing her mental health.</p>.<p>Osaka withdrew from the tournament on Monday after she was fined for refusing to attend the typical post-match news conference following her first-round victory. The Japanese player said on social media that she faced “huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world's media."</p>.<p>Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton was critical of the French Open organisers.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/naomi-osaka-and-the-changing-power-dynamics-in-sports-992774.html" target="_blank">Naomi Osaka and the changing power dynamics in sports</a></strong></p>.<p>“The way they reacted was not good with the fine and someone talking about their personal mental health and then being fined for it, that wasn’t cool. I think they could have definitely handled it better, I’m sure. I hope they will take a deep dive into it and find a better way to navigate in the future,” Hamilton said.</p>.<p>Hamilton said he had felt overwhelmed by media obligations around the time he joined F1 in 2007 when he was 22.</p>.<p>“When I was young, I was thrown into the pit and I wasn’t given any guidance or support. And what I do know is that, you know, when youngsters are coming in, they’re facing the same thing as I did. And I don’t necessarily know if that’s the best for them," Hamilton said.</p>.<p>"I think we need to be supporting more and I think it shouldn’t be a case where you’re pressured.</p>.<p>“For example, with Naomi’s scenario, she didn’t feel comfortable for her own personal health not to do something. And the backlash is ridiculous.”</p>