French Open officials have fined world No. 2 Naomi Osaka 15,000 USD equivalent to Ksh 1.6 million for flouting her “contractual media obligations” after missing a post-match news conference.
Naomi Osaka is also at the risk of facing stiffer penalties including being suspended from all Grand Slam tournaments if she continues skipping media meetings.
A statement released by the French Tennis Federation said Osaka has been “advised” that “should she continue to ignore her media obligations during the tournament, she would be exposing herself to possible further Code of Conduct infringement consequences.”
The statement narrates that tougher sanctions from repeat violations could include default disqualification from the tournament and the trigger of a major offense investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions.”
Players at Grand Slam tournaments are required to attend news conferences if requested to do so; refusing is punishable by fines of up to 20,000 USD which is equivalent to Ksh 2.1 million
Osaka announced on Wednesday ,May 26 that she would not participate in post-match news conferences during the two-week French Open, as players are required to, so as to protect her mental well-being.
The heavy fine imposed by the French Tennis Federation will be expected to be drawn from Naomi Osaka's prize money at the tournament.