Naomi Osaka plans to skip press conferences at the upcoming French Open, citing mental health of the athletes.
In a lengthy social media post, Naomi said some sports reporters disregard the mental health of players after a tough loss.
Naomi said she will skip press conferences and pay the hefty fines ($20,000), which she hopes will go towards a mental health charity.
“Hey everyone –
Hope you’re all doing well, I’m writing this to say I’m not going to do any press during Roland Garros. I’ve 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’m just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me. I’ve watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well.
I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they’re down and I don’t understand the reasoning behind it. Me not doing press is nothing personal to the tournament and a couple journalists have interviewed me since I was young so I have a friendly relationship with most of them.
However, if the organizations think that they can just keep saying, ‘do press or you’re gonna be fined,’ and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are the centerpiece of their cooperation then I just gotta laugh.
Anyways, I hope the considerable amount that I get fined for this will go towards a mental health charity.
xoxo.”
