| 1 | Hey everyone , this isn't a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. |
| 2 | I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. |
| 3 | I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. |
| 4 | More importantly I would never trivialise mental health or use the term lightly. |
| 5 | The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. |
| 6 | Anyone that knows me knows I'm introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I'm often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety. |
| 7 | Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wan na apologize especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world's media. |
| 8 | I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can. |
| 9 | So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self - care and skip the press conferences. |
| 10 | I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that. |
| 11 | I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the Slams are intense. |
| 12 | I'm gon na take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans. |
| 13 | Always hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I'll see you when I see you. |