The editor of Sports Illustrated Swimwear has issued a statement responding to Megyn Kelly's criticism of Naomi Osaka gracing the magazine's cover.

Per NBC News, editor M.J. Day spoke on the subject with host Janine Rubenstein during the most recent episode of the podcast People Every Day.

Day said the former NBC and Fox News anchor had targeted the tennis player unfairly, stating: "It's such bullying, and it's so unnecessary."

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Day continued: "I'm like: You know what? You're journalists. How about you do your job and you fact-check, instead of jumping all over this woman for attention?'

"How about we do our due diligence and make sure we know what the reality of a situation before we come for people?"

She added: "It broke my heart to see someone who is really living her life for the betterment of others while also trying to pursue her own passion, which is tennis and fashion.

"Let her live. Let her make decisions for herself that protect her own well-being."

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Kelly's comments come after Osaka made headlines in May when she announced she would not be participating in the French Open and Wimbledon and would be focusing on her mental health instead.

Conservative news pundit Clay Travis later took to Twitter to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Osaka's mental health struggles - pointing out that she had been well enough to model a bathing costume for Sports Illustrated.

Travis wrote in a post to his 767,000 followers on the platform: "Since saying she’s too introverted to talk to the media after tennis matches, Naomi Osaka has launched a reality show, a Barbie, and now is on the cover of the SI swimsuit issue."

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Kelly concurred with Travis' criticism, tweeting herself: "Let’s not forget the cover of (& interview in) Vogue Japan and Time Mag! [sic]"

Per NBC News, Osaka herself responded to this in a now-deleted tweet which read:

"Seeing as you’re a journalist I would’ve assumed you would take the time to research what the lead times are for magazines, if you did that you would’ve found out I shot all of my covers last year.

"Instead your first reaction is to hop on here and spew negativity. Do better Megyn."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/ Xinhua

Sports Illustrated's swimsuit editor breaks silence after Megyn Kelly slammed Naomi Osaka's cover