Japanese tennis sensation Naomi Osaka says she is committed to competing in the Tokyo Olympics but believes public approval is crucial for them to go ahead.
Organizers are still adamant the delayed Olympics can be held safely even if the coronavirus is not under control by the time the flame is lit on July 23.
The three-time Grand Slam champion yesterday admitted being worried by a recent poll that found 80 percent of Japanese are opposed to Tokyo hosting the event this year.
Large parts of Japan are under a state of emergency to tackle a spike in coronavirus cases.
"My concern would be the general safety of everyone else because you're opening the country," Osaka said. "Everyone is flying in from different places. I would want the public to feel safe."
Osaka, 23, was the poster girl of the 2020 Olympics and still hopes to represent Japan at her home Games.
"I'll stay in my room for two weeks to play," said Osaka, who lives in Florida. "Playing in Tokyo would be very special."
World No 2 Rafael Nadal echoed Osaka's sentiments and hopes to play, but says health experts should have the final say.
The 34-year-old Spaniard said mandatory quarantine before the Olympics would be hard to squeeze into a congested tour schedule.
"Combining our tour with another 15 days of quarantine to play the Olympics," Nadal said. "It looks difficult."
Romanian star Simona Halep, who competed at the 2012 London Olympics but skipped Rio in 2016 on concerns over the Zika virus, said vying for her first Games medal was her priority this year.
Olympic poster girl Naomi Osaka is willing to undergo quarantine to play in virus-hit Tokyo Games but admits fan safety is a concern. AFP
