French Open: Too much mental stress - Naomi Osaka skips press meetings
Naomi Osaka will not attend the mandatory press conferences at the 2021 French Open. The Japanese announced this via Instagram.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 27, 2021, 07:58 am
The process for the top players at major tournaments is usually as follows: Shortly before the start of the main draw matches, they answer questions from print and TV journalists on “Media Day”, and there is a press conference after each game. The latter is mandatory for the big stars of the scene in the event of victory or defeat (because the reporters are correspondingly interested in it); for professionals who are classified above the top 30, the obligation only arises if they have been explicitly asked for. Which is mostly the case with the majors, after all, the local markets want to be served.
Naomi Osaka has long outgrown her local market, the winner of the last two Grand Slam tournaments in 2020 earned the most money of all female athletes in the world, is just as well known in the USA as in her native Japan or in Europe. So Osaka is enjoying a lot of media coverage. In contrast to other players - from a German-speaking point of view, Andrea Petkovic should simply be mentioned here - the second in the world ranking list does not make her press conferences particularly easy. On the contrary, Osaka associates additional pressure with the obligatory appearances on the podium. To which she will not expose herself at the French Open 2021, which starts on Sunday.
Osaka is ready to pay fines
You will not expose yourself to the same questions from journalists, wrote Osaka on Instagram. From her point of view, this would make the players doubt, especially after defeat she would have the impression that a person would still be kicked here if he was already on the ground. That would not be good for mental health. Your decision is nothing personal against the tournament or certain journalists, Osaka added.
Naomi Osaka is well aware of the consequences: she will probably face financial penalties. Which doesn't matter to them. She hoped the substantial fine would be donated to a mental health organization.