Osaka returns to spotlight on red carpet at the ESPYS

Naomi Osaka posed on the red carpet at The ESPYS on Saturday night, her first public appearance since withdrawing from the French Open in May and skipping Wimbledon. In New York, the world’s highest-paid female athlete was surrounded by photographers, with one telling her, “Nice smile,” as cameras clicked quickly. In answer, Osaka gave a small closed-mouth smile. 

At the annual ceremony celebrating the year’s top athletes and sporting moments, Osaka took home medals for best athlete in women’s sports and best women’s tennis player. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, it was transferred from Los Angeles to New York for an outdoor, socially distant concert this year. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were named best team and Tom Brady was named best male athlete. In his first season with the Bucs, the quarterback, who turns 44 next month, won his eighth Super Bowl triumph.

Osaka, who has won four Grand Slam championships, withdrew from the French Open before the second round, citing “massive waves of anxiety” and “extended spells of depression” before speaking to the media. She also skipped Wimbledon this year. She’ll compete in the Tokyo Olympics as a representative of her home country. 

Before taking the stage, she gave a high-five to her lover, YBN Collective rapper Cordae. 

“I just really don’t want to give a big speech because I’m a bit nervous,” Osaka explained. “This year has been really, it hasn’t even finished but it’s been really tough for a lot of us. For me I just want to say, I really love you guys.”

LaMelo Ball, a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets, was named the greatest breakout athlete. Gonzaga’s 93-90 triumph over UCLA in the men’s NCAA Tournament semifinals won the best game award. The best men’s college athlete went to DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Paige Bueckers, a freshman basketball phenom for UConn, was named women’s collegiate athlete of the year. She advocated for more media attention for Black female athletes.

“They’ve given so much to this sport, the community, and society as a whole, and their value is undeniable,” she said. “I think we should also use this power together to also celebrate Black women. To all the incredible Black women in my life, on my teams, to Breonna Taylor and all the lives lost, and to those names who I have not yet learned but I hope to share, I stand behind you and I’ll continue to follow you and follow your lead and fight for you guys.”