Naomi Osaka says she will not take questions from the press at this year’s French Open.
The World number two has argued that the nature of news conferences puts an unfair burden on players’ mental health.
A statement released on her social media handles read “I’m writing this to say I’m not going to do any press during Roland Garros,” the four-times grand slam champion tweeted on Wednesday. “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.”
Osaka narrated that the decision was “nothing personal” against the tournament or journalists she is friendly with and that she hoped tournaments would reconsider their approach on athletes especially after losses.
Expecting players to answer questions after losses amounted to “kicking a person while they’re down”, Osaka added.
Most tennis tournaments require players to speak to the media in a post match press conference after each match or pay a fine. The world's number 2 in her statement said that she hoped the “considerable amount” that she expects to be fined will go towards a mental health charity.
The Japanese player has in the past used her platform to highlight issues of police violence and racial inequality and other forms of racial injustices. At last year’s US Open, she wore masks bearing the names of several victims of racial injustice, including George Floyd.
Osaka won that event and the 2021 Australian Open having missed last year’s delayed French Open to recover from a hamstring problem.She is currently looking forward to bag 8n her first French Open title.