ennis star Naomi Osaka has blasted 'creepy' Instagram critics who accused her of failing to 'maintain her innocent image' after she posted images of herself wearing a bikini in her Florida backyard.
The 22-year-old, who has spent much of lockdown at her home in Florida, hit out at the trolls in a scathing tweet posted over the weekend, admitting that she it is 'creeping her out' to see all of the comments being made about her body and her choice of swimwear.
'I just wanna say it’s creeping me out how many people are commenting @ me to maintain my “innocent image” and “don’t try to be someone your not”,' the 2018 US Open champion wrote.
In her strong-worded tweet, the Japanese tennis star slammed all those who objected to her wearing swimsuits saying that no has any right to advise her on what clothes she should wear.
She then proceeded to rage against anyone who thinks that they have a right to comment on another person's wardrobe, tweeting: 'You don’t know me, I’m 22, I wear swimsuits to the pool. Why do you feel like you can comment on what I can wear?'
Naomi's passionate tweet came just one day after she last posted an image of herself in swimwear - a posed snap in which she is seen modeling a pair of blue bikini bottoms and a vibrant yellow sweater.
While many people - including Hailey Bieber - were quick to post positive comments on the image, others made leering observations about the Japanese-born sportstar's body, branding her 'chunky' and calling out the fact that she wasn't wearing pants.
'Pants game non[existent],' one person wrote, while another simply commented: 'Chunky dunky.'
One Instagram user told the tennis star that she should be 'focusing on the upcoming competitions', suggesting that posting images of herself will stop her from winning - despite the fact that she has also shared videos of herself working out and practicing on the courts.
According to a report released by Forbes magazine in May, Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam winner, surpassed tennis legend Serena Williams with annual earnings of $37.4 million to become the top paid female athlete in the world. Osaka earned $1.4 million more in prize money and endorsements than Serena Williams in last 12 months.
With this, Osaka also broke the record for most money earned in a single year by a female athlete. Previously, this record was held by retired Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova who had earned $29.7 million in 2015.