Inactive since Roland Garros, Naomi Osaka still owns a sharp return game.
When former NBC and Fox broadcaster Megyn Kelly chimed in supporting social media critics of Osaka for her recent magazine cover appearances, the four-time Grand Slam champion responded on Twitter: “Do better Megan.”
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Kelly joined the chorus of critics who have labeled Osaka a hypocrite for her series of recent high-profile media appearances, including a documentary and covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and Vogue Hong Kong after opting out of mandatory post-match press conferences at Roland Garros last month. Osaka revealed she has battled bouts of depression and anxiety after her Roland Garros withdrawal.
Let’s not forget the cover of (& interview in) Vogue Japan and Time Mag! https://t.co/PAAUEwAVi0
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) July 19, 2021
Osaka advised Kelly to educate herself on magazine lead times before jumping to the wrong conclusion.
“Seeing as you’re a journalist I would’ve assumed you would take the time to research what the lead times are for magazines,” Osaka tweeted to Kelly. “If you did that you would’ve found out I shot all of my covers last year.
“Instead your first reaction is to hop on here and spew negativity, do better Megan.”
Osaka’s response, which has been removed from her Twitter feed, was captured in a screen shot by The Sporting News and Daily Mail.
Kelly later tweeted Osaka has blocked her on Twitter and took a parting shot at the former world No. 1.
Poor @naomiosaka blocked me while taking a shot at me (guess she’s only tough on the courts). She is apparently arguing that she shot her many covers b/4 publicly claiming she was too socially anxious to deal w/press. Truth is she just doesn’t like Qs she can’t control. Admit it. pic.twitter.com/izyRzOrUVm
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) July 19, 2021
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve