Osaka on French Open interviews: No comment

Naomi Osaka is entitled to take as much time as she needs to sort out her mental health. However, I do not believe that the organizers of the French Open are obligated to allow her to sort this out on their courts. If these media obligations are as injurious as she says, excusing her from them would be a significant competitive advantage.

Whoever it was eight pages ago is right, though, this absolutely falls under something I see proof of all the time: The public does not understand or give a shit about complications in our process.

 

Some of the most powerful people in this country don't give interviews ever -- the Supreme Court (do make speaking appearances). Bezos, Zuckerberg and all other CEOS speak only when they please, and reporters are seldom if ever part of that. Presidents of the United States can and do say "no comment" when it suits them. But a tennis player has no such rights? Absurd. I believe it's almost always in an athlete's interest to speak with the media, and Derek Jeter could give Osaka lessons on how a boring answer turneth away reporters, but if she feels otherwise, I think it's her privilege.

 

Is it possible she's bi-polar?

 

If the hood fits....

 

Funny, she did conduct the on-court interview after her round one match. I don't find that hypocritical. Mileage may vary for others.

 

Can we fine and suspend Sinema for not speaking to the press? Please?

 

Frank Sinatra still has a cold.

 

I do think you have to have relatively equal rules for all competitors and comparing to them their activities is a bit of a red herring. Those are the rules of this tournament/tour and the players have agreed to them.

Perhaps I’m jaded by the fact that someone can perform in front of thousands and give on court interviews and then say that they are unable to do a 15 minute press session.

 

The powers-that-be's acceptable solution was to fine Osaka, and threaten her with expulsion from all four majors.
Followed by the French Tennis Federation's president holding a press conference, and refusing to answer any questions from the media.

 

When she says she experiences huge waves of anxiety before the press conferences, do you believe her?
Naomi Osaka's statement about withdrawing from French Open