Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One part of me understand her completely, DS has social anxiety. The other part understands that she went about it the wrong way. I will not do it, the end? Yeah, how immature.
So, some interviews are ok and some are not? How come? Her anxiety is under control while playing, but not to answer a few questions?
Without the reporters, we have no reason to read and pay to watch tennis and be into the sport.
The other part says, we can have all the accommodations for gender issues but not for anxiety?
And why did she not say that right away? I have a health issue which is valid and I need this accommodation?
I mean, imagine her winning RG and not giving a speech? But, that is ok and the presser after the game is not? And it sounded like she was only against it if a player loses, based on her initial statement.
So, another part of me says she is entitled.

She reached out to the tournament organizers in advance about her decision, and invited them to contact her to discuss it further if they had concerns. If they had done so, perhaps there’s a compromise that could have been struck to get some press access in a different format and at a different time. Instead they decided to throw the book at her, thinking they could bully her into capitulating. She called their bluff.

do you think they care that she isn't participating? It's only a bluff if the otherwise cares about the outcome

Yes. They will lose viewership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m torn. Is one of the rules that athletes must do media interviews? If so and she doesn’t want to abide by the rules than I think she’s in the wrong. But if it’s just a nice to do thing then she should not have to.

Personally, I think I am like her in that I am introverted, a terrible public speaker and I would also get waves of anxiety if I had to speak in public. So I understand where she’s coming from.

She was willing to pay the fines. Then they said that no she would be expelled instead. So she quit the tournament.
I am like her, introverted and public speaking is terrifying to me. I can't imagine even having to do it on that level of scrutiny. There should be more dialogues between players and the tournament people. The French aren't known to be a flexible bunch anyway, so the French Open might not have been the right place for this. Remember when Serena wore her catsuit at the Open?

I agree and I would never be in a profession that would have me in the public eye.

But my question is if The media interviews are part of the entry rules of the tournament?

It appears that they are.

That’s a pity. She needs to play by the rules including the media interviews if that is a requirement of entry. Maybe she can take a class in communications to help her overcome her anxiety. Personally I don’t even understand how she can perform so well because she’s so talented. I would probably get immediate stage fright if I were her so as it is she’s already conquered some of it.

[Anonymous]

For those of you in the know, would she be able to provide a person who speaks on her behalf much like the press secretary during specific periods or does it explicitly list that the player must attend - and speak - at the press events?

She is plainly stating that the press events distract her from being mentally prepared to do her best during the Open. There is nothing snowflake about that. Its called boundaries and it is an important part of mental health- regardless of whether you have mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

For those of you talking about how Millennials/Gen Z always have "anxiety or depression" its documented that this is a surge from the overwhelming nature of social media and the internet. Graf retired in 1999. FB Instagram twitter etc werent even around. Its like you lack any ability to see that the lives of those of us in our teens to 30s are exponentially different regarding exposure compared to it was in your teens to 30s. A 60 year old was born in 1961, reached 30s by 1991 and completely bypassed all of this. Even 40 year olds were in their 20s when "social media" started to explode.

It is constant chatter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there any spin on this? She made a decision (her right to do so) and had to face the consequences, which she did. Next.

Imagine Tom Brady doing this? It is the same situation, do you think anyone would just not spin it?

Do you live in a cave.

NBA and NFL coaches and players have been requesting no interviews post game for years. This is not new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One part of me understand her completely, DS has social anxiety. The other part understands that she went about it the wrong way. I will not do it, the end? Yeah, how immature.
So, some interviews are ok and some are not? How come? Her anxiety is under control while playing, but not to answer a few questions?
Without the reporters, we have no reason to read and pay to watch tennis and be into the sport.
The other part says, we can have all the accommodations for gender issues but not for anxiety?
And why did she not say that right away? I have a health issue which is valid and I need this accommodation?
I mean, imagine her winning RG and not giving a speech? But, that is ok and the presser after the game is not? And it sounded like she was only against it if a player loses, based on her initial statement.
So, another part of me says she is entitled.

She reached out to the tournament organizers in advance about her decision, and invited them to contact her to discuss it further if they had concerns. If they had done so, perhaps there’s a compromise that could have been struck to get some press access in a different format and at a different time. Instead they decided to throw the book at her, thinking they could bully her into capitulating. She called their bluff.

Seems like there is a bit of she said/he said going on, because from what I read they DID reach out to her and she said she'd talk to them AFTER the tournament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you in the know, would she be able to provide a person who speaks on her behalf much like the press secretary during specific periods or does it explicitly list that the player must attend - and speak - at the press events?

She is plainly stating that the press events distract her from being mentally prepared to do her best during the Open. There is nothing snowflake about that. Its called boundaries and it is an important part of mental health- regardless of whether you have mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

For those of you talking about how Millennials/Gen Z always have "anxiety or depression" its documented that this is a surge from the overwhelming nature of social media and the internet. Graf retired in 1999. FB Instagram twitter etc werent even around. Its like you lack any ability to see that the lives of those of us in our teens to 30s are exponentially different regarding exposure compared to it was in your teens to 30s. A 60 year old was born in 1961, reached 30s by 1991 and completely bypassed all of this. Even 40 year olds were in their 20s when "social media" started to explode.

It is constant chatter.

Ok, but post-match interviews are a distraction and draining for other players besides Osaka. I'm sure some other players would love to skip as well but follow the rules or accept the consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you in the know, would she be able to provide a person who speaks on her behalf much like the press secretary during specific periods or does it explicitly list that the player must attend - and speak - at the press events?

She is plainly stating that the press events distract her from being mentally prepared to do her best during the Open. There is nothing snowflake about that. Its called boundaries and it is an important part of mental health- regardless of whether you have mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

For those of you talking about how Millennials/Gen Z always have "anxiety or depression" its documented that this is a surge from the overwhelming nature of social media and the internet. Graf retired in 1999. FB Instagram twitter etc werent even around. Its like you lack any ability to see that the lives of those of us in our teens to 30s are exponentially different regarding exposure compared to it was in your teens to 30s. A 60 year old was born in 1961, reached 30s by 1991 and completely bypassed all of this. Even 40 year olds were in their 20s when "social media" started to explode.

It is constant chatter.

Ok, but post-match interviews are a distraction and draining for other players besides Osaka. I'm sure some other players would love to skip as well but follow the rules or accept the consequences.

This--look at the NBA finals, the schedule of best of 7 series and travel are grueling with some of the games going super late into the night yet you still see players doing the postgame interviews unless they're hurt or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am seriously wondering if she can go to the press conference with shades on and even headphones and just stare at them while they ask questions?

If a response is required 'I am here in order to not be fined for violations'.

She could, but then I’m sure she would get ripped apart in the press. She seems to be doing her best to be honorable and polite in a very painful situation.

Marshawn Lynch did this. Earlier in his career he stopped going to the mandatory press conferences and the league started fining him. In 2015 the Seattle Seahawks were heading to the Superbowl and Marshawn Lynch was their star running back. During press leading up to the Superbowl he answered every question "I'm just here so I don't get fined" or "You know why I'm here". Over his career, he was fined $100,000 for not speaking to the press. The fans stood by him, he was a well-loved player in Seattle. Some of the fans even started a fund to pay his fines. He's currently trending on Twitter because of this Osaka situation.

[Anonymous]

I'm the pp. Forgot to add, I don't see Tennis fans standing by Naomi the way football fans stood by Masrhawn.

[Anonymous]

Because Naomi didn’t even show up. Eye contact is part of being human. It sucks that the Internet has caused all this anxiety and depression but the way out is not LESS contact. We need to expect ourselves to do uncomfortable things from time to time. Particularly when someone is mandating that as part of your job. Suck it up, buttercup.

[Anonymous]

BBC confirmed it’s the WTA tour rules.

“Many athletes, both in and out of tennis, applauded Osaka's stance after she announced it on Wednesday, although many said speaking to the media is "part of the job".
Grand Slam rules state players can be fined up to $20,000 (£14,160) for failing to meet their media obligations, with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) saying players "have a responsibility to their sport and their fans" to speak to the media during competitions.
Following her win over Tig, Osaka did take part in the usual on-court interview with the victor.
Later on Sunday, organisers of the four Grand Slams released a joint statement saying Osaka could face "more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions" for her decision.
The Grand Slams added that following Osaka's announcement on Wednesday, Roland Garros teams had asked her to reconsider her position and were unsuccessful in their attempts to check on her wellbeing.
After a "lack of engagement" from Osaka, the Grand Slam organisers wrote to her to offer support, as well as to "remind her of her obligations".

I do not think she handled this well. I do not think anyone is out to get her. If and when the rules change, she can follow the new rules instead. But the time to flaunt the rules is not in the middle of a tournament you’ve entered.

[Anonymous]

All sports/leagues have some type of mandatory media obligation that is part/parcel to playing in said sport or league. Many athlete who are not comfortable doing this offer very plain/vanilla type answer to essentially de-motivate anyone from wanting to hear their pov on a given topic. Other, who are more comfortable engaging with fans, use the media to drive their own agenda or brand to higher levels.

If she can't get herself in a place where she can do the bare minimum, it will be a difficult road. Sure, her talent level will force the WTA to give her as much flex as they can, but at some point, the rubber will hit the road and they will have to enforce the rules.

[Anonymous]

Are those of you who are spending hours and hours supporting your kid's sports dreams also taking them to drama lessons and toastmasters to develop their public speaking skills? Probably not. I sympathize with these athletes who have dedicated their lives to tennis or football or swimming or skating etc who then get thrown in front of cameras and subjected to negativity on social media. One of the saddest cases is Rebecca Adlington, a UK swimmer, who has been criticized constantly for her looks, weight, dress sense and relationships by the British public. Famous Australian swimmers have also suffered with anxiety and depression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because Naomi didn’t even show up. Eye contact is part of being human. It sucks that the Internet has caused all this anxiety and depression but the way out is not LESS contact. We need to expect ourselves to do uncomfortable things from time to time. Particularly when someone is mandating that as part of your job. Suck it up, buttercup.

If I were Naomi Osaka, I'd probably do some work with educating the public on what introversion means and what social anxiety means for those of us who have trouble speaking up in public, and for whom it is not just an "uncomfortable thing" to do from time to time. This type of response just makes me throw up my hands in despair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BBC confirmed it’s the WTA tour rules.

“Many athletes, both in and out of tennis, applauded Osaka's stance after she announced it on Wednesday, although many said speaking to the media is "part of the job".
Grand Slam rules state players can be fined up to $20,000 (£14,160) for failing to meet their media obligations, with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) saying players "have a responsibility to their sport and their fans" to speak to the media during competitions.
Following her win over Tig, Osaka did take part in the usual on-court interview with the victor.
Later on Sunday, organisers of the four Grand Slams released a joint statement saying Osaka could face "more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions" for her decision.
The Grand Slams added that following Osaka's announcement on Wednesday, Roland Garros teams had asked her to reconsider her position and were unsuccessful in their attempts to check on her wellbeing.
After a "lack of engagement" from Osaka, the Grand Slam organisers wrote to her to offer support, as well as to "remind her of her obligations".

I do not think she handled this well. I do not think anyone is out to get her. If and when the rules change, she can follow the new rules instead. But the time to flaunt the rules is not in the middle of a tournament you’ve entered.

They might not be out to get her, but they are certainly not supportive.