mike_field
Vital Football Legend
Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open after refusing to do news conferences
World number two Naomi Osaka says she is withdrawing from the French Open as a result of controversy over her refusal to speak to the media during the tournament.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57310701
Been meaning to babble about this for a few days, but I can't really make my mind up.
She has a point on mental health - but it's not an issue she struggled with when you'd assume she was getting panned more regularly as she learned the true high professional level - her words 2018 - upon bring Champion = the root isn't the media issues..
A big chunk of the prize money us the media commitments - like all sports.
She's withdrawing now after expulsion was on the table anyway and her reaction to the expected fine was 'hope it goes to a mental health charity'.
Social media has gone it's usual route here in fawning but I didn't read far enough to get to the flaming (and it will be there who are instantly dismissive) - because there is an interesting issue here. Solo sport is solo in a way a team sport isn't - I know it's always been done, but is it right to have a camera thrust in your face when you're destroyed at losing - or should you been given a few hours to compose yourself.
Winning is obviously a different topic here - but does any sports fan 'really' lose out on not seeing a player crumble, cry, show some emotion, show a lack of emotion - compared to waiting a bit and maybe addressing a few questions of a higher IQ level from the press other than 'you must be gutted'.
I think a fair point given today's acknowledgment of mental health issues is being utterly buried because she went the complete wrong way on raising the subject or even thinking through there would have to be a give here.
If you lose and opt to not do an interview, there is a financial cost for not living up to that obligation - just as there would be if you won and refused. She's unfortunately come off as utterly one sided and thinking about herself, without forward thinking the wider issues.
But I still think there's a strong point in there, particularly for solo sports.
World number two Naomi Osaka says she is withdrawing from the French Open as a result of controversy over her refusal to speak to the media during the tournament.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57310701
Been meaning to babble about this for a few days, but I can't really make my mind up.
She has a point on mental health - but it's not an issue she struggled with when you'd assume she was getting panned more regularly as she learned the true high professional level - her words 2018 - upon bring Champion = the root isn't the media issues..
A big chunk of the prize money us the media commitments - like all sports.
She's withdrawing now after expulsion was on the table anyway and her reaction to the expected fine was 'hope it goes to a mental health charity'.
Social media has gone it's usual route here in fawning but I didn't read far enough to get to the flaming (and it will be there who are instantly dismissive) - because there is an interesting issue here. Solo sport is solo in a way a team sport isn't - I know it's always been done, but is it right to have a camera thrust in your face when you're destroyed at losing - or should you been given a few hours to compose yourself.
Winning is obviously a different topic here - but does any sports fan 'really' lose out on not seeing a player crumble, cry, show some emotion, show a lack of emotion - compared to waiting a bit and maybe addressing a few questions of a higher IQ level from the press other than 'you must be gutted'.
I think a fair point given today's acknowledgment of mental health issues is being utterly buried because she went the complete wrong way on raising the subject or even thinking through there would have to be a give here.
If you lose and opt to not do an interview, there is a financial cost for not living up to that obligation - just as there would be if you won and refused. She's unfortunately come off as utterly one sided and thinking about herself, without forward thinking the wider issues.
But I still think there's a strong point in there, particularly for solo sports.