Osaka Naomi Urges Solidarity Against Coronavirus
Tennis star Osaka Naomi has urged people not to be selfish but to be united to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
Osaka made the appeal in a video message she filmed for NHK. She is now staying at home in the US state of California.
Osaka said she feels "very sad" about the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics because she was "really looking forward to it."
She said it would have been her first time to compete in the Olympics and that participating in Tokyo would have been "definitely special" for her.
Osaka said she believes the Olympics will be held in Tokyo next year. But she added she thinks everyone "needs to take a deep breath" and "understand the seriousness of the situation."
Osaka called on people to "stay focused on what really matters and try to do what it takes to keep everyone safe."
Osaka also touched on how difficult it is to stay in good shape as one of the top tennis players. She said her "preparations have kind of gone a little bit haywire" as "a situation like this has never happened before."
Osaka said she is "trying to stay as active as" she can but that mainly she is trying to stay indoors, except for shopping for groceries.
