Fast-rising Tennis Star, Naomi Osaka has not only been fined $15,000 for her refusal to speak to any media personnel at this year’s French Open but may see stiffer penalties.
Osaka who won in a 6-4 7-6 set against Patricia Maria Tig on Saturday may face more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions, as per a statement from the Grand Slam Organizers
Osaka had written on her Instagram that she would desist from speaking to the media to protect her mental health. She also shared how delibitating it is for players to have to speak to the media especially right after a loss, when they were still reeling from their wounds.
Osaka is the highest-paid sportswoman on the globe currently and the eighth overall in endorsements. She could pay up to a total of $140,000 if she maintains the status quo until the end of the games.
Some have criticized that many of her achievements and publicity has of course come from the influence she has gained from the press.
The argument however is faulty considering it’s not so much of the interviews at the end, but the coverage of the event itself, that bring in the endorsement but the fact that she has managed to sustain excellence in playing the games.
Moreover, other sports are not necessarily hounded by the press after every half-time, there were no pressmen yesterday prodding teary Manchester City teammates after losing to Chelsea yesterday… so why do tennis players have to do this, especially if it affects their mental health.
Who is really benefitting from the press interviews anyway, who’s right, who’s wrong? Stay tuned as the story progresses…
