Naomi Osaka explains why she refuses to do pre-event media, accepts fine for her ‘mental health’

Naomi Osaka released a statement on Wednesday explaining why she will not participate in any press conferences for the French Open.

The 2021 French Open qualifiers are currently taking place, with the event scheduled to begin this Sunday. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is currently ranked second in the Women’s Tennis Association. Osaka shared some news ahead of the grand slam event.

On Wednesday, Osaka released a statement through her Twitter account, announcing that she will not participate in news conferences during the French Open, citing her mental health. She says in her statement that she hopes that the fines that she pays go to charitable organizations that benefit mental health.

Naomi Osaka’s full statement on why she won’t participate in press conferences during the 2021 French Open

“I’m writing this to say I’n not going to do any press during Roland Garros,” Osaka wrote. “I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one. We’e often sat there and 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.”

While she is looking to win her first French Open title, Osaka is making her mental health a priority, which is why she said she will not be partaking in media events at Roland Garros. All she is asking for is “the organizations” to take the mental health of athletes into consideration.

Earlier this year, Osaka won the Australian Open after defeating Jennifer Brady in the women’s singles finals. Last year, Osaka won the U.S. Open after beating Victoria Azarenka in the finals.

Osaka’s first opponent for the 2021 French Open is currently unknown. The full draw of all the competitions at Roland Garros will be revealed this Thursday, May 27, at 12:00 p.m. ET.