Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open

[Anonymous]

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'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This feels a little Demi Lavato-ish....

Demi Lovato is an addict and a drunk. No comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This feels a little Demi Lavato-ish....

Demi Lovato is an addict and a drunk. No comparison.

That's not the only reason Demi Lavato is the way they are.

[Anonymous]

What happens if a tennis player is from Finland and can't speak English and there is no translator? Do they get a pass? Is it a special imposition on English speakers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens if a tennis player is from Finland and can't speak English and there is no translator? Do they get a pass? Is it a special imposition on English speakers

I don't know. As far as I can tell they force all the interviewees (even the native French in the French Open) to interview in English.

Maybe she could just demand to answer in Japanese - giving her a few extra moments to think and confuse the reporters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if a tennis player is from Finland and can't speak English and there is no translator? Do they get a pass? Is it a special imposition on English speakers

I don't know. As far as I can tell they force all the interviewees (even the native French in the French Open) to interview in English.

Maybe she could just demand to answer in Japanese - giving her a few extra moments to think and confuse the reporters.

You can't force me to speak German of Finnish though because I just can't do it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

Again, this is how the prize money gets determined. It's how much the media & advertisers are willing to pay. We could probably have sports with no interviews, but the prize money will be less. If someone wants to start a tournament with that set-up, they should feel free. Saying there should not be requirements is crazy. All jobs have requirements.

I’m saying this shouldn’t be a requirement of the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

+1 -- The interviews should be completely optional. Often they're predictable and dull; totally the opposite of the actual play. As a fan, I don't care what the pros say; I want to watch them play tennis.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

Again, this is how the prize money gets determined. It's how much the media & advertisers are willing to pay. We could probably have sports with no interviews, but the prize money will be less. If someone wants to start a tournament with that set-up, they should feel free. Saying there should not be requirements is crazy. All jobs have requirements.

I’m saying this shouldn’t be a requirement of the job.

Yep, I'm not going to try to be a motivational speaker given my fear of public speaking, but it's odd if this fear stops me from being an Olympic swimmer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

Again, this is how the prize money gets determined. It's how much the media & advertisers are willing to pay. We could probably have sports with no interviews, but the prize money will be less. If someone wants to start a tournament with that set-up, they should feel free. Saying there should not be requirements is crazy. All jobs have requirements.

I’m saying this shouldn’t be a requirement of the job.

Yep, I'm not going to try to be a motivational speaker given my fear of public speaking, but it's odd if this fear stops me from being an Olympic swimmer

On a level of viciousness - Tennis sports reporters seem to far outrank competitive swimming reporters. I never saw Michael Phelps got asked why he's shaped like a human bat.

[Anonymous]

I think Michael Phelps took communications training, and sure got attacked with his DUI. He did an HBO special on depression in sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

I agree. It’s messed up that her tennis skills are apparently not as important to the organization as the press reports. The sad thing is that there are plenty of gregarious players that would probably love attention from the press. It should be optional. The press can report on the actual matches and interview those who are happy to be interviewed.

It angers me that it’s not enough for her — or anyone— to be skilled at their game and a decent human being. It’s the press or the Instagram that apparently “really” matters. And there will be press anyway — focusing on her withdrawing. I hope it at least leads to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Michael Phelps took communications training, and sure got attacked with his DUI. He did an HBO special on depression in sports.

I'm going to watch this - it looks interesting. Thanks for sharing but also note that he did this five years after he retired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish she hadn't felt like she should withdraw. There should NOT be a rule that athletes have to speak with press, either before or after competing, in any competition.

Again, this is how the prize money gets determined. It's how much the media & advertisers are willing to pay. We could probably have sports with no interviews, but the prize money will be less. If someone wants to start a tournament with that set-up, they should feel free. Saying there should not be requirements is crazy. All jobs have requirements.

I’m saying this shouldn’t be a requirement of the job.

+1 It should not be a requirement. The press can report on the details of the actual matches. There will also always be extroverts happy to be interviewed. Why force it as a demand on the likely small number of athletes who aren’t up for it? And why push it to the point where spectators and players will now miss the chance to see and experience a truly gifted player — because she’s not also comfortable with the way the press is handled?