Here is the context from the guy who asked the question. He was asked about the pressure he was under by a journalist, that also mentioned Simone Biles. He answered about himself. He has defended Naomi Osaka for withdrawing from a grand slam before, so it would be strange that he would all of a sudden be against it.

The 18-time Grand Slam winner also offered plenty of support to Osaka.

“She is very young and she grew up with social media and ability to speak out through her channels,” he said. “I can understand her very well, and I emphasise with her because I was on the wrong edge of the sword in my career many times [with the] media (smiling). I know how it feels.

“I support her. I think she was very brave to do that. I’m really sorry that she is going through painful times and suffering mentally, is what I have heard. I haven’t spoken to her, but it seems like she has been struggling. I wish her all the best, I hope she recovers. She is an important player, brand and person for our sport. So we need to have her back.

“This was, I must say, a very bold decision from her side.

“If she needs to take time and reflect and just recharge that’s what she needed to do, and I respect it fully. I hope that she’ll come back stronger.”