Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

French Open 2021: Naomi Osaka faces default from Grand Slam for refusing to speak to media

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Sunday, 30 May 2021 08:46

World number two Naomi Osaka faces expulsion from the French Open if she continues to refuse to speak to the media, Grand Slam organisers said.

Japan's Osaka said last week she will not give any news conferences during the Grand Slam because she wants to protect her mental health.

She was fined $15,000 (£10,570) for not doing media after her first-round win against Romania's Patricia Maria Tig on Sunday.

The second seed won 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

A joint statement from the four Grand Slam organisers said Osaka also faces "more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions".

They added that following her announcement, Roland Garros teams asked the 23-year-old to reconsider her position and were unsuccessful in their attempts to check on her wellbeing.

After a "lack of engagement" from Osaka, the Grand Slam organisers wrote to her to offer support, as well as to "remind her of her obligations".

"A core element of the Grand Slam regulations is the responsibility of the players to engage with the media, whatever the result of their match, a responsibility which players take for the benefit of the sport, the fans and for themselves," the statement said.

"We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations during the tournament, she would be exposing herself to possible further Code of Conduct infringement consequences.

"As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions, including default from the tournament and the trigger of a major offence investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions."

It added that the rules exist "to ensure all players are treated exactly the same".

Osaka had earlier moved to put the controversy to one side as she started her campaign in Paris with a straight-set win over Tig.

She hit 20 winners in a largely dominant first set on Court Philippe Chatrier, but had to work even harder in the second before her quality came through in the tie-break.

The four-time major champion plays another Romanian, Ana Bogdan, next.

Osaka has not yet reached the same heights on the red dirt that she has on hard courts, having never progressed past the third round at Roland Garros and holding a win-loss record of 13-13 in the events leading up to the Grand Slam.

How did it get to this point?

On Wednesday, Osaka released a statement saying she would not face the media during the course of the French Open, citing the impact of news conferences on the mental health of players.

She said expecting players to answer questions after a defeat amounted to "kicking a person while they're down".

"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," she said in the statement, which she posted on social media.

"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."

Grand Slam rules state players can be fined up to $20,000 (£14,160) for failing to meet their media obligations, with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) saying the players "have a responsibility to their sport and their fans" to speak to the media during competitions.

Many athletes, both in and out of tennis, applauded Osaka's stance, though many accepted that speaking to the media is "part of the job".

Novak Djokovic, the men's world number one, said: "I understand the press conferences sometimes can be very unpleasant, and it's not something you enjoy always - especially if you lose a match.

"But it is part of the sport and part of your life on the tour, and this is something we will have to do."

Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open women's champion, added that while media is "not the most enjoyable thing to do", it is "important".

Following her win over Tig, Osaka did take part in the usual on-court interview with the victor.

"My movement on clay is a work in progress. If I keep playing more matches, hopefully it will get better," she said.

Read 222 times

Soccer

Bayern-linked De Zerbi: I want to stay at Brighton

Bayern-linked De Zerbi: I want to stay at Brighton

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBrighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has said he wants to stay with th...

Pochettino demands 'stupid' exit rumours stop

Pochettino demands 'stupid' exit rumours stop

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMauricio Pochettino has called for "stupid rumours" around his Chel...

Pep: Foden primed to become one of City's best

Pep: Foden primed to become one of City's best

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPep Guardiola has backed Phil Foden to become one of Manchester Cit...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Giannis: Wasn't nearing return before Bucks exit

Giannis: Wasn't nearing return before Bucks exit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Despite trying to push himself to be available to the...

Sources: Clips look to lock up Lue with extension

Sources: Clips look to lock up Lue with extension

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe LA Clippers are planning to pursue a contract extension with co...

Baseball

Pirates activate Grandal (foot) from injured list

Pirates activate Grandal (foot) from injured list

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Pittsburgh Pirates activated catcher Yasmani Grandal from the 1...

Cubs ace Steele may return Monday from injury

Cubs ace Steele may return Monday from injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- Cubs ace Justin Steele is just about ready to return to...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated