| 1 | Hey everyone , this is n'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| 10 | I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that .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 . |