Naomi Osaka will be one of the most followed players at the upcoming Roland Garros. The Japanese sensation won the last 2 slams and she has 4 majors under her belt so far. However, all these slams were played on hard courts, and she is well known for not being comfortable on clay and grass. She may have a tough ride in the months to come.
Naomi Osaka and the press conference
The world number 2 shocked her fans after saying that she will not participate in any press conference during the Roland Garros, citing mental health issues. She says that most of the questions during these press conferences instill doubts in the athletes with interviewers often disregarding the players’ mental health.
Amanda Anisimova
Indeed, Naomi Osaka is right in a way. Journalists are always chasing stories and they like to ask tough questions to the athletes. It was horrifying when in 2020 a journalist asked a very sensitive question to Amanda Anisimova about her struggle after the death of her father and longtime coach. The American just broke into tears during the press conference after that inappropriate question.
The tough questions
It is often challenging for athletes to answer tough questions, especially after losing “bad games.” A couple of times, even the great Novak Djokovic was clearly struggling to cope with his emotions after a tough loss. However, participating in press conferences is part of their job.
Back to Naomi Osaka, the Japanese said that she hopes that the fines she will pay for not participating in any mandatory press conference are going to be devolved to institutions that take care of Mental Health.
This is what Naomi Osaka wrote about her position.
“Hey everyone-
Hope you’re all doing well, I’m writing this to say I’m not going to do any press during Roland Garros. I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one. We’re often sat there and asked questions that we’ve been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I’m just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me. I’ve watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well.
I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they’re down and I don’t understand the reasoning behind it. Me not doing press is nothing personal to the tournament and a couple journalists have interviewed me since I was young so I have a friendly relationship with most of them. However, if the organizations think that they can just keep saying, “do press or you’re gonna be fined”, and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are the centerpiece of their cooperation then I just gotta laugh. Anyways, I hope the considerable amount that I get fined for this will go towards a mental health charity.”
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Now the world no.2, the Japanese played her last match on the 12th of May when she lost to world no.29 Jessica Pegula 7-6(2) 6-2 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
This year Osaka has achieved a compiled 13-3 win-loss record. The Japanese has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka |
| Embed from Getty Images |
