American golfer Michelle Wie West has come out in strong support of WTA tennis world No. 2 Naomi Osaka declaring she was “incredibly brave” to withdraw from the French Open following the initial controversy over a decision to boycott post-match media duties.

Osaka had been fined $15,000 last Sunday for not attending a post-match media conference and was also threatened with expulsion after her first-round win but then on Monday the 23-year-old Japanese professional shocked not only tennis but the sports world in declaring she was withdrawing from the French Open.

Michelle Wie West

Osaka, and the winner of four Grand Slam titles, had signalled her intentions to skip her media duties to protect her mental well-being and on Monday said she had suffered from depression and social anxiety.

“I thought what Naomi did this past week was incredibly brave,” Wie West ahead of this week’s Women’s US Open golf.

“I also understand that part of being an athlete is speaking to the media because that’s how the tournaments get done, (it) is through the media coverage.

“Definitely as a player, it gets tough, especially after having a bad round. It’s tough, especially when you’re not doing well, or there’s a lot more to life than your game.”

Osaka has received support from her country Japan, her sponsors, leading sporting figures and tennis fans since she announced her decision.

The four Grand Slam tournaments released a statement on Tuesday commending Osaka for sharing her experience and promised to make things better for players.

Wie West, who won the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, said there was a need for more conversations regarding the mental wellbeing of athletes.

“It is sometimes crippling at times, but I’m really proud of athletes taking charge of their mental health and making it a priority,” she added.

Wie West has faced her own personal issues (marriage, motherhood and injuries) and recently returned earlier this year from a nearly two-year absence from competitive golf but failed to make the cut in the three tournaments she has played so far this year.

She last made a cut in February 2019 at a tour event in Thailand and hasn’t even been in the running at a major since tying for 10th place at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open at Shoal Creek.

Wie West captured the 2014 US Open and this week will play her first Open in three years starting Thursday at the Olympic Club, just a short drive from her new home base in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“It’s a really cool feeling being here,” she said.

“I guess just staying at my house these two weeks is pretty nice. I’ve never had that happen before at a major tournament. … Being here at Olympic Club, at another amazing venue, it’s really fun. It’s really amazing to be back. It’s an honour.”