Naomi Osaka decided not to attended the press conferences so as not to add any distraction. Funny enough, this became the biggest distraction of this Roland Garros. Naomi Osaka risks defaulting if she will not attend the press conference in the near future.
The organization of the slam, alongside most of her colleagues, disagree with her decision. The slams released a tough joint statement saying that she might also be suspended from future slams if she keeps refusing to talk to the media.
The explanation of Naomi Osaka’s sister Mari
Naomi Osaka’s sister Mari tried to give her point of view with a long statement on the popular sub-directory on Reddit, saying that Naomi was not okay mentally, especially after losing in Rome. This was what she wrote:
“So it’s a little hard for me to see all these different opinions from everyone and not being able to share Naomi’s side even just a little bit. She sucks at explaining her actions most of the time and she’s playing a grand slam so there’s even less of a chance that she will take her time to dwell and explain something that she doesn’t want to even think about. Right now she wants to focus solely on her matches and the tournament.
Naomi mentioned to me before the tournament that a family member had come up to her and remarked that she’s bad at day. At every press conference she’s told she’s has a bad record on clay. When she lost in Rome r1 she was not ok mentally. Her confidence was completely shattered and I think that everyone’s remarks and opinions have gotten to her head and she herself believed that she was bad on clay. This isn’t true and she knows that in order to do well and have a shot at winning Roland Garros she will have to believe that she can. That’s the first step any athlete needs to do. Believe in themselves.
So her solution was to block everything out. No talking to people who is going to put doubt in her mind. She’s protecting her mind hence why it’s called mental health. So many people are picky on this term thinking you need to have depression or have some sort of disorder to be able to use the term mental health.
I don’t know what she is going to do in the future when the tournament pushes back and threatens to default her but I fully support my sister’s actions because she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. Tennis players don’t get paid to do press conferences. They only get paid when they win matches.
There is the argument that she can afford to skip while others cant. What if they want to and she’s setting precedent so that they can in the future if wanted? When I lost my one wta match where I had to do a press conference afterward. I broke down in the room unfortunately and then saw headlines after of me. Crying It was embarrassing and it’s forced on players. Some can take it and some struggle with it.
Thanks if you took the time to read my thoughts. I hope it gives more clarity to those of you that feel the need to judge others harshly when they dont follow the rule book.
Edit: the post was deleted once but now it’s back, thank you to the mod who restored it!”
Statement deleted
Later, Mari deleted the statement adding this:
“Ok so I fucked up. My words are coming across so horribly to a lot of people who think taking care of mental health is strategic. I didn’t emphasize the fact that Naomi is dealing with a ton of shit and honestly fighting for the care of mental health in my post so now a lot of people are taking it as “She doesn’t want to hear critisim”
I’m sorry, Naomi I probably made the situation worse.”
This is turning in an even bigger mess.
…and now Mari Osaka has removed the statement from her Reddit post and replaced it with this. pic.twitter.com/QtPNJnKUO2
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 30, 2021
Osaka at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2021
At the moment ranked no.2, Osaka has a 14-3 match record in 2021. The Japanese is currently having a run at the French Open where she toppled Patricia Maria Tig 6-4 7-64.
Naomi Osaka will take on the world no.102 Ana Bogdan in the 2nd round. In the past, they have never played each other so far in top events.
Naomi has won 1 title in 2021 at the Australian Open.
The Japanese won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Bogdan at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.102, Bogdan owns a 9-8 record in 2021. Bogdan is currently having a run at the French Open where she ousted Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1 6-3.
Ana Bogdan will take on the world no.2 Naomi Osaka in the 2nd round. They have never played each other up to now on the main tour.
Naomi Osaka and Ana Bogdan have never fought against each other.
Naomi Osaka and Ana Bogdan |
| Embed from Getty Images |
