Tennis player Naomi Osaka has announced on her Twitter account that she will not accept all press conferences during the French Open, which opens this month.
The press conference states that "it does not take into account the athlete's mental state."
Osaka posted on his Twitter account in English, stating, "I've seen a lot of disappointing athlete footage at the press conference after losing the match."
And "I often felt that people didn't consider the mental state of the athlete. I was asked many questions before, or questions that raised my mind. I'm not just going to expose myself to those who doubt me, "he said, revealing his intention not to attend all press conferences during the French Open, the four major tournaments that open on the 30th of this month. Did.
"I'm not personally dissatisfied with the tournament, and I have a few journalists who have interviewed me since I was young, so I have a friendly relationship with most of them," said Osaka. ..
In tennis tour tournaments, regardless of whether the match is won or lost, players who do not participate in the meeting even if requested are fined, and Osaka said, "If you continue to ignore the mental state of the athlete, just It makes me laugh. Anyway, I hope the huge fines I pay for this go to the mental health charity. "
[Full text posted by Osaka]
"I hope everyone is fine.
I am writing to convey that I will not be interviewed at all at the French Open (Roland Garros).
I describe the mental state of the athletes
.
I've often felt that I didn't consider it.
This is something I always realize when I see or attend a press conference. We sat at the conference and were asked many times before. Asked questions and asked questions that raise doubts in our hearts, I'm not just going to expose myself to those who doubt me.
I'm at the press conference after losing the match I've seen a lot of footage of depressed athletes, and you're
sure
you're watching.
I believe the whole situation is hurting the depressed person, and I know why it's happening. No. I'm not personally dissatisfied with the tournament that I don't attend the press conference, and I'm friendly with most because I have a few journalists who have interviewed me since I was young. We're building relationships,
but if the governing body thinks it can keep saying "press conference or otherwise fine" and keep ignoring the athlete's mental state, which is the cornerstone of cooperation, then just It makes me laugh. Anyway, I hope the huge fines I pay for this go to the mental health philanthropic group. "
Great response to the post Comments from former players
Naomi Osaka's posts have received a great deal of attention, with more than 3,600 quoted tweets and more than 1,700 comments.
Among them, former tennis players are among the people who gave their opinions, and various voices have been raised over Osaka's claim.
Rennae Stubbs, a former professional tennis player from Australia who won second place in the women's doubles and mixed doubles at the 2000 French Open, said, "I had the same feelings when I was active. Action can be a great opportunity for the media to listen to the players, understand how hard many players are feeling, and make it better. " I did.
Meanwhile, former American professional tennis player Zina Garrison, a gold medalist at the Seoul Olympics and women's doubles, said, "There is something to say about Osaka, but there are two sides. One is that she It means that most athletes can pay a fine that they can't afford. On the other hand, I support raising awareness of mental health in sports. People from all positions get together to come up with a solution now. You should think about it. "