<p>BAKU, Azerbaijan &mdash; Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called Thursday for more support for young athletes dealing with media duties after four-time Grand Slam champion tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open citing her mental health.</p>
<p>Osaka withdrew from the tournament on Monday after she was fined for refusing to attend the typical post-match news conference following her first-round victory. The Japanese player said on social media that she faced “huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media."</p>
<p>Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton was critical of the French Open organizers.</p>
<p>“The way they reacted was not good with the fine and someone talking about their personal mental health and then being fined for it, that wasn’t cool. I think they could have definitely handled it better, I’m sure. I hope they will take a deep dive into it and find a better way to navigate in the future,” Hamilton said.</p>
<p>Hamilton said he had felt overwhelmed by media obligations around the time he joined F1 in 2007 when he was 22.</p>
<p>“When I was young, I was thrown into the pit and I wasn’t given any guidance or support. And what I do know is that, you know, when youngsters are coming in, they’re facing the same thing as I did. And I don’t necessarily know if that’s the best for them," Hamilton said. "I think we need to be supporting more and I think it shouldn’t be a case where you’re pressured.</p>
<p>“For example, with Naomi’s scenario, she didn’t feel comfortable for her own personal health not to do something. And the backlash is ridiculous.”</p>
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