Osaka will not attend press conferences, she has been heavily criticised for her decision

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka announced that she will not participate in press conferences during Roland Garros. Her decision immediately became the target of criticism from the tennis public.

“I will not do any press conferences during Roland Garros. When I watch or attend a press conference, I often feel that people have no regard for the mental health of athletes. Often we sit there and they ask us questions that they have already asked or that create doubts in our minds. I will not expose myself to people who doubt me,” announced Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka.

However, this decision has angered the tennis public. The most critical of Osaka was Australian Sam Groth, who said, “I find her announcement incomprehensible and full of hypocrisy. She doesn’t want to talk to a group of journalists who follow the circuit around the world, yet she is happy to post pictures to millions of anonymous followers on social media?”

In addition, Groth spoke of Osaka’s utter disregard for the sport.

Novak Djokovic, for example, also weighed in on the matter. “I understand that press conferences can sometimes be very uncomfortable. It’s not something you enjoy every time, especially when you lose a match and stuff like that. But it’s part of sport and life on the circuit. We have to go to them, otherwise we will be fined,” said the Serbian tennis player.

Rafael Nadal also brought his point of view. “The media has made us what we are. As athletes we have to be ready to take questions and try to answer,” commented Nadal.

Among the Czech tennis players, Petra Kvitová also commented on the topic, but she also disagrees with Osaka’s attitude. “I read her statement and frankly speaking, I don’t understand it very much. It is part of our lives that we have to communicate with the media, sponsors and others.”

It will be interesting to see if Osaka reconsiders her stance as the tournament progresses. Nevertheless, the Japanese tennis player made sure to create quite a stir before the start of the tournament.

Source: Tennis World