Sam Groth: Tennis World No.2 Naomi Osaka’s French Open media ban reeks of hypocrisy

Naomi Osaka, like all athletes, is right to prioritise her mental health, it’s a serious issue. So what more can the governing bodies do?

Naomi Osaka’s decision to refuse all media duties at the French Open, to remove herself from the day-to-day off-court operations of the event because she is “not going to subject myself to people who doubt me” is a slap in the face to a sport that has given her everything.

Deeming herself able to simply opt out of a requirement every player on tour is obligated to do is, quite simply, a joke.

Elite athletes – even those as talented as Osaka – are not immune from the impact criticism can have on your mental health. And if she feels her wellbeing is suffering she is right to seek and receive help. But her announcement, to me, is misguided and fraught with hypocrisy.

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Naomi Osaka was a media darling when she won the Australian Open in February. Picture: Getty Images

You don’t want to speak with a group of journalists who follow the tour around the world, yet you’re happy to post images to millions of faceless followers on social media platforms?

Media conferences are attended by accredited members of the media, many of whom have established meaningful rapports with players. Social media platforms are a bottomless void of trolls and bots who are answerable to no-one and have few policies of decency.

I find it incredible that Naomi is willing to engage with the one that presents significantly more dangers to anyone’s mental wellbeing. Her message today made no mention of cutting ties with social platforms while she is in competition mode. Isn’t that counter-productive to protecting yourself?

Don’t get me wrong, fronting the world’s media when you have just lost is the absolute worst – honestly I hated it and I should know because I lost a lot. Emotions are running high, you’re utterly devastated and as if that’s not enough you have to go and discuss it in detail with people in an open forum.

It’s confronting and upsetting but it’s part of your job.

Next week at Roland Garros, theoretically 127 women and the same number of men will have to speak to the media about the fact they lost a match. They will be asked the same questions they are asked every tournament. Yes it can be mundane, absolutely it can wear thin and sure all you want to do it get out of there.

Osaka speaks with media earlier this year after defeating Serena Williams at the Australian Open. Picture: Tennis Australia/AFP

But a press conference is about so much more than talking to the media particularly now we’re in the throes of a global pandemic. With crowds limited or scrapped altogether, media is one of the only ways players can engage with their fans – particularly those not on social media.

It’s also a huge part of how tennis as a sport keeps going. Events are funded by media rights – this isn’t a secret. Naomi is showing a total disregard for the sport that has made her the superstar she is. Players of her standing have a responsibility to promote their sport and do what they can to protect its future.

Athletes are entertainers; media and public speaking is part of that. How many press conferences have Serena Williams, Roger Federer – insert any major global athlete name in here – done when they have been asked the same question for the 100th time?

It’s also the media’s job to ask hard questions, it’s an athlete’s prerogative to say they don’t want to answer. We have seen it time and time again not only in tennis. Naomi wouldn’t be the first to refuse a question or even walk out – Serena did it at the Australian Open in January, Nick Kyrgios has done it multiple times and they won’t be the last.

I can absolutely understand her feelings about talking to the media when you have just lost and perhaps her announcement will initiate a conversation about best practice to ensure athletes feel ‘safer’ but to simply cut herself out it totally wrong. It’s like being sponsored by Nike but refusing to wear the shirt.

Serena Williams has walked out on press conferences before. Picture: AFP

Mental health is such a poignant topic right now. The pandemic has shone a light on it for so many people and we all manage it differently. It is a very serious issue.

Naomi, like all athletes, is right to prioritise her mental health. We see leagues and clubs around the world investing in this area to ensure mental health and wellbeing are properly safeguarded as it’s an acknowledged risk of living in the spotlight.

In an individual sport like tennis, perhaps it’s easier for the onus of responsibility to fall through the cracks. Yes, Naomi needs the right team around her but what more can the ATP and WTA be doing for their talent? Will they do more in light of this news?

If Naomi feels she needs to cut herself off from the media, that is her prerogative but I can’t help but think she has gone about this the wrong way. The intent for her fines to go to a charity are all well and good but we’re talking about an athlete that made $50 million in the last 12 months; she can make donations of any size any time she wants.

The fact she says she is happy to still talk to friends in the media suggests she just wants things entirely on her own terms as opposed to drive change for any other athletes in the same situation.

Globally she is a superstar; she’s the face of the Tokyo Olympics and within the sport of tennis she is regarded as Serena Williams’ heir apparent. That carries a pressure and burden that at times she may need support and understanding with. But we – and her army of fans – want to hear more from her, not less.

Naomi Osaka has imposed a media ban during the French Open. Picture: Getty Images

WHY OSAKA HAS IMPOSED FRENCH OPEN MEDIA BOYCOTT

—AFP

Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said Wednesday that she will not take part in news conferences at the forthcoming French Open, believing that some post-match inquests are little more than “kicking a person while they’re down”.

The world number two, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, says she will donate the fines she will accrue to mental health charities.

“I am writing this to say that I am not going to do any press during Roland Garros,” the 23-year-old announced on Twitter.

“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.

“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.”

❤️ pic.twitter.com/EegFSKnoie

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 26, 2021

Under tennis tournament rules, all players are required to hold press conferences after each match.

They also perform media duties before a tournament.

Osaka regularly packs out media rooms due to her standing in the sport and her charismatic appeal to reporters.

She fields questions in Japanese and English and is regarded as one of the world’s most marketable stars.

Last year she made $37 million, more than any other female athlete. She added on Wednesday: “I believe the whole situation is kicking a person while they are down and I don’t understand the reasoning behind it.” The French Open gets underway in Paris on Sunday.

Osaka has yet to get beyond the third round at Roland Garros.

Originally published as Sam Groth: Tennis World No.2 Naomi Osaka’s French Open media ban reeks of hypocrisy