The board of Grand Slam tennis tournaments revealed Japanese tennis icon, Naomi Osaka, could be terminated of the French Open if she continues to ignore her press conferences.
“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.” the board of Grand Slam tennis tournaments said in a statement.
“As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament.”
“The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open jointly wrote to her to check on her well-being and offer support, underline their commitment to all athletes’ well-being and suggest dialog,” they added.
Osaka on Wednesday completely ignored media during her press conference at the 2021 French Open because the media during this year’s French Open because of the toll news conferences take on players’ emotional being-well. And the 23-yeard olf US Open winner was fined $15,000.
“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,” Osaka said.
“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,” she added.
Osaka beat 63rd-ranked Patricia Maria Tig 6-4, 7-6(4) on the opening day at Roland Garros. She is scheduled to face Romania’s Ana Bogdan in the second round on June 2, but will have two days to consider whether to double down on her decision not to speak with the press.
