World #2 Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Bans Media Interviews During Roland Garros over Mental Health
- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has shared a letter on why she will not be giving interviews in France during the pressurised Roland Garros tournament
- Osaka says she has nothing against the media and that there’s nothing untoward about the French Open but her focus is on her mental state
- The 23-year-old Osaka says she has good media relations with many journalists but she also has high regards for mental health and the media can sometimes interfere with that
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Tennis star Naomi Osaka has penned a hot letter regarding post-match interviews, saying that the media often brings pressure. This comes ahead of the upcoming Roland Garros tournament in France.
The Japanese star says because of mental health issues, she will not be attending press meetings. Osaka believes that some post-match interviews are little more than kicking a person while they're down.
The upcoming eagerly anticipated tournament is set to be staged from Sunday, 30 May until 13 June and will be held at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France.
Source: Instagram
The 23-year-old took to Twitter to announce her stance and the world number two, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, explained that she would donate any fines accrued to mental health charities. Said Osaka:
"I am writing this to say that I am not going to do any press during Roland Garros. I have 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."
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Osaka added that athletes are often asked interrogating questions and that has an effect on their mental state. She added:
“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.
“Me not doing press is not personal to the tournament and a couple of journalists have interviewed me since I was young. So, I have a relationship with many of them.”
Briefly News recently reported that Serena Williams was a conspicuous loser during the Laureu Awards where sportsmen and women are recognised for their performances.
In the tennis code, players such as Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka picked up the Laureus Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.
Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah was also recognised while Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton bagged an accolade as well.
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Source: Briefly News
