Tokyo 2020: Naomi Osaka ‘not sure’ Olympics should happen amid rise in Covid-19 cases

Naomi Osaka says rising Covid-19 levels in Tokyo are a “big cause for concern” and she is “not really sure” the Olympics should go ahead this summer.

Japanese world number two Osaka would be making her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

“I’m an athlete, and of course my immediate thought is that I want to play in the Olympics,” she said.

If people are not feeling safe, then it’s a really big cause for concern – Osaka

“But as a human, I would say we’re in a pandemic, and if people aren’t healthy, and if they’re not feeling safe, then it’s definitely a really big cause for concern.”

When asked by BBC Sport if it would be appropriate to stage the Games during a pandemic, the 23-year-old said: “To be honest, I’m not really sure.”

The Olympics will take place without international fans, while a decision on whether local fans can attend the Games will be made in June.

“I’ve never played an Olympic event, so it’s not like I would have anything to compare it to,” four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said.

“I would feel, of course, definitely a bit sad, but at the end of the day, it’s an honour to play in the Olympics in the first place and if that’s what keeps people healthy, then I’m up for [playing behind closed doors].”

Japan’s top-ranked men’s player Kei Nishikori, speaking at the Italian Open, also said he was concerned about the Games being staged.

“This is not like 100 people like [we have at] these tournaments,” he said in Rome on Monday. “It’s 10,000 people in an Olympic Village.

“I don’t think it’s easy, especially with what’s happening right now in Japan; it’s not doing good.”

World number 45 Nishikori, who won bronze in the men’s singles at Rio 2016 Olympics, said he is wary about a possible outbreak in the Village, a high-rise apartment complex in downtown Tokyo.

“You can make a good bubble and maybe you can do it,” he said. “There is some risk too. What happens if there are 100 cases in the Village? Or it can be thousands.”

Williams undecided over Tokyo

Meanwhile, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has raised doubts over her participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

Williams, who has won one singles and three doubles Olympic gold medals, is hesitant to spend time away from her three-year-old daughter, Olympia.

“I haven’t spent 24 hours without her, so that kind of answers the question itself,” said the American, 39.

“I haven’t really thought much about Tokyo, because it was supposed to be last year and now it’s this year, and then there is this pandemic and there is so much to think about.

“Then there are the Grand Slams. It’s just a lot. So I have really been taking it one day at a time to a fault, and I definitely need to figure out my next moves.”

Williams, ranked eighth in the world, is scheduled to play at this week’s Italian Open, her first tournament since losing to eventual champion Osaka in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in February. – bbc.com