It was possibly the most anticipated press interaction in the world of sports, and it didn’t go that well for tennis star Naomi Osaka.

Staying away from the press for months is very unusual for tennis players. They take part in multiple tournaments over a short period, and they must hold briefings with the media. But for Osaka, it’s been nearly three months since she interacted with the media after the four-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the French Open on 31 May after facing expulsion over refusing to fulfil media responsibilities.

After missing Wimbledon, she returned to the competitive tennis circuit (she represented Japan at the Olympics), with a pre-tournament press conference at Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio. The briefing began well for Osaka, but it didn’t last that way for long.

Osaka was reduced to tears when a reporter on the Zoom call suggested that she was not averse to using the media when it suited her. “I would say the occasion, when to do the press conferences is what I feel is the most difficult,” said Osaka, and she went on to explain a bit more about her position and then she got emotional and left the conference. She returned to answer a few more questions. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYxJx4ElKjw]

Osaka had withdrawn from the French Open on May 31, saying she “often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health.”

The emphasis on “mental health” by Osaka has divided many. While the tournament organizers say that players should honor the contractual obligation, sports psychologists argue for more freedom to players. [https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/players-need-safer-mental-environment-sports-psychologist-says-1.6042331]

Osaka also defended her decision at the French Open of not having press conferences. “I’m proud of what I did and I think that it was something that needed to be done,” said. Although her first media interaction in months didn’t go smoothly, but it signals the return of the 23-year-old athlete to the tennis circuit. [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/16/naomi-osaka-in-tears-during-first-press-conference-since-french-open]

Read more:

Osaka’s return to regular tennis:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/16/tennis/naomi-osaka-pauses-press-conference-spt-intl/index.html

Osaka’s mental health and debate around it:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2021/07/08/naomi-osaka-opens-up-french-open-withdrawal-mental-health/7899251002/

7 things that Osaka taught about mental health:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/06/04/7-things-naomi-osaka-taught-us-about-mental-health-and-career-success/?sh=54a67ff540c7