"Wouldn't be so popular otherwise": Osaka's colleagues comment on the press boycott - she wants a reform herself
ThePress conference boycott by Naomi Osaka for the French Open has been the topic of conversation for the last few days. Your colleagues, however, are relaxed about dealing with the press. Osaka itself has now made the reason for their decision clearer.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 29, 2021, 03:49 pm
In her press boycott for the French Open, Naomi Osaka had given too much mental stress as the reason, it often seemed to her as if athletes who were already on the ground are still being kicked.
And of course your colleagues were asked exactly about this in press conferences before the tournament. The previous tenor: Osaka has of course the right to their opinion - but none of the others has felt similar problems to this extent. "I understand them, but on the other hand, without the press, we wouldn't be the athletes we are today - without the people who usually travel with us and write about news and achievements. We wouldn't have the recognition we enjoy around the world , we wouldn't be that popular, would we? "mused French Open record champion Rafael Nadal.
"Facing the media can be uncomfortable," said Novak Djokovic from Belgrade. But it is part of tennis, Djokovic continues. "You don't always enjoy it, especially when you've just lost or something."
Barty: "Never had a problem with that"
"Press work is part of the job," said world number one Ashleigh Barty. "We know what we're getting into. I've never had a problem with it. But of course I can't tell what she's going through."
Daniil Medvedev also made a detailed commitment on the subject. He has never had problems like this, nor has he seen any journalists targeting him. He always comes to the PKs, whether in a good or bad mood. "And sometimes I feel like if I walked in in a bad mood, I'll be in a better mood after talking to you guys." Medvedev sees the problem more in the area of social media, "there is a lot of hatred", especially because of the weather.
Osaka apparently wants reform
The British Naomi Broady brought up an interesting point , in terms of improving the regulation. "If only you had more time after heavy defeats to collect yourself and cry out of the public eye ..." she mused. It is difficult when you are angry and yet are forced by the rulebook to express yourself so quickly.
Osaka's action seems to have a similar background. After her boycott , she emailed tournament director Guy Forget and FFT boss Gilles Moretton. Your decision has "100 percent nothing to do with the French Open or the press in general", but opposes the obligation of the players to hold press conferences if they are not mentally well. "I think that's archaic and needs to be reformed." She wanted to work on a system change after the tournament with the tours.