Naomi Osaka to boycott press conferences at French Open ‘to protect her mental health’
The world number two said the decision was ‘nothing personal’ to any journalists covering the tournament
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Naomi Osaka has revealed that she will not take part in any press conferences during the upcoming French Open, in what she described as a decision to protect her mental health.
The 23-year-old Japanese tennis player wrote in a Twitter post: “I'm writing this to say that I'm not going to do any press during Roland Garros.”
“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. 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 am not going to subject myself to people who doubt me,” Osaka wrote.
Most major competitions include contractual requirements for players to address the media before or after their matches.
Earlier this year, American tennis player Christian Harrison was fined $3,000 (£2,213) by the ATP after refusing to take part in a mandatory on-court interview at the Delray Beach Open in Florida as it required him to wear a mask.
Osaka said in her statement that she has watched clips of other athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room, and believes that the “whole situation is kicking a person while they're down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it”.
The world number two clarified the decision was “nothing personal” to the tournament’s journalists.
“However, if the organisations think that they can just keep saying, 'do press or you're gonna be fined', and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are centrepiece of their co-operation then I just gotta laugh,” she said.
She concluded by stating that she hopes the considerable fine that she is likely to receive “will go towards a mental health charity”.
The French Open qualifiers are underway and the tournament is due to end on 13 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments