American journo weirdly drags Ash Barty into Naomi Osaka media storm

An American journo believes he’s found evidence in an Ash Barty press conference there’s more to the Naomi Osaka furore than meets the eye.

An American journalist has dragged world No. 1 Ash Barty into the Naomi Osaka saga, claiming the Aussie’s press conferences are proof of racial bias within the media.

Osaka sensationally withdrew from the French Open on Tuesday morning (AEST) after her decision to boycott press conferences at Roland Garros sparked controversy.

The Japanese star revealed she would take some time away from tennis to focus on her mental health, which she said had deteriorated since the 2018 US Open Final.

However, New York-based reporter Chris Spargo believes the issue stems much further than Osaka’s mental health.

Naomi Osaka will take no further part in the French Open.

Spargo uploaded the transcripts of two post-match press conferences to Twitter — one for Barty, one for Osaka.

The reporter suggested the contrasting line of questioning each athlete received was proof race influenced how the pressers were conducted.

“Take a look at the questions Ash Barty is asked in a post-match interview as compared to Naomi Osaka,” Spargo wrote. “Same journalists, same tournament.

“This is just as much about race as it is about mental health, be it Venus, Serena or Naomi in the press room.”

Take a look at the questions Ash Barty is asked in a post-match interview as compared to Naomi Osaka.

Same journalists, same tournament.

This is just as much about race as it is about mental health, be it Venus, Serena or Naomi in the press room pic.twitter.com/ZYBeFDtjm6

— Chris Spargo (@chrisonchris) May 31, 2021

In the transcripts, Barty was asked:

— “Is that the best start you think you have had to a grand slam?”

— “You are playing so well, what’s the next step?”

— “I don’t think you lost a point in the first four games.”

Meanwhile, Osaka was told:

— “You looked a bit nervous.”

— “Why was it intimidating to see (Serena Williams) on the other side of the net?”

However, Spargo neglected to mention that Barty’s presser came after she had defeated Montenegrin Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-0 in the first round of the Australian Open — her home grand slam.

Meanwhile, Osaka’s line of questioning followed a semi-final victory over American icon Serena Williams — her tennis idol she admired growing up.

Inevitably, the journalists will be asking different questions for the varying scenarios.

Spargo also seems unaware that Barty is an Indigenous Australian, making his hot take even more questionable.

Barty is hoping to win at Roland Garros for a second time.

Osaka is taking some time away from the sport.

READ MORE: Tennis boss’ shameless Osaka hypocrisy

Barty gets her French Open campaign underway on Tuesday evening, coming up against American Bernarda Pera in the first round.

Barty’s last appearance at Roland Garros was her famous victory over Marketa Vondrousova in the 2019 final.

The Queenslander vacated her French Open title after skipping much of the 2020 season due to health and travel risks. But she has already won three titles this year and reached the Madrid Open final, although an arm injury at the Italian Open forced her out of the quarter-finals and cast doubt over her fitness.

“I think coming back to the site here at Roland Garros is obviously pretty special, pretty cool,” Barty said.

With AFP