Naomi Osaka, the Controversy

kskate2

Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
31,039
Reactions
10,051
Points
113
Age
55
Location
Tampa Bay
Not only is she opening a can of worms, but they most certainly will look at putting some rule in place that says you cannot skip more than xx number of pressers in any given tournament. And to the issue of when a player goes to press, they don't have to go immediately after their match. They can go to the locker room, shower, change, mope about, compose themselves and then make their appearance at the press room. And even then, they don't have to stay for a long time. They can answer a few questions and then decide they've had enough and skip out.
 

Sundaymorningguy

Grand Slam Champion
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
6,385
Reactions
1,759
Points
113
Location
Norfolk, VA
I think overall, she has subjected herself to more eyes and scrutiny on her than if she did the press, but it is her choice.

It’s not as if interviews are unique to tennis. Winning and losing players of all sports are interviewed. Now, that isn’t to say journalists can’t ask better questions or have greater tact concerning interviews. I’ve seen some dumb and consistently repetitive questions asked. Nor is that to say that they can’t give the losing player time to adjust and somewhat prepare more for the media. I think also if she felt a press situation was teetering on hostile or in an uncomfortable way that she could stop it and leave. I don’t think anyone would hold that against her.

For consistency sake is she going to avoid media if she wins the tournament? I think having people point out the flaws is just as important of a journey for a player as highlighting the good moments. I think Serena is someone who is a perfect example of taking the bad things said about her and using it as a fuel for progress. If all you want to hear is good things about yourself and live in a bubble, then it is kind of hard to grow, and it is also hard to work on ways to improve your mental health if you aren’t working through ways of coping with possibly negative or frustrating situations.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tented

kskate2

Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
31,039
Reactions
10,051
Points
113
Age
55
Location
Tampa Bay
I think overall, she has subjected herself to more eyes and scrutiny on her than if she did the press, but it is her choice.

It’s not as if interviews are unique to tennis. Winning and losing players of all sports are interviewed. Now, that isn’t to say journalists can’t ask better questions or have greater tact concerning interviews. I’ve seen some dumb and consistently repetitive questions asked. Nor is that to say that they can’t give the losing player time to adjust and somewhat prepare more for the media. I think also if she felt a press situation was teetering on hostile or in an uncomfortable way that she could stop it and leave. I don’t think anyone would hold that against her.

For consistency sake is she going to avoid media if she wins the tournament? I think having people point out the flaws is just as important of a journey for a player as highlighting the good moments. I think Serena is someone who is a perfect example of taking the bad things said about her and using it as a fuel for progress. If all you want to hear is good things about yourself and live in a bubble, then it is kind of hard to grow, and it is also hard to work on ways to improve your mental health if you aren’t working through ways of coping with possibly negative or frustrating situations.
THIS. :good:
 

kskate2

Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
31,039
Reactions
10,051
Points
113
Age
55
Location
Tampa Bay
Something I take issue with is she's doing an on court interview but won't do one in the press room? :facepalm: Does she realize the same questions can get asked on court as in the presser? They also said the 4 slams and the WTA reached out to her to discuss any welfare issues she may be having. All their requests went unanswered. It's as if she isn't interested in dialoguing w/ the powers that be. She made her decision and that's that.

Sorry, this isn't the NTA (Naomi Tennis Association) or Burger King. She can't have it her way and make her own rules. She has won a few slams and took a stand w/ BLM and now she don't think her poop stinks. :thumbs-down:
 

tossip

Grand Slam Champion
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
7,297
Reactions
2,600
Points
113
Osaka has always been favored by the media unlike the sisters who have endured horror on tour but kept themselves together in the line of fire.She is displaying weakness and need a strong backbone...unless she is going through boyfriend problems.
 

MargaretMcAleer

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
46,708
Reactions
30,787
Points
113
Osaka has always been favored by the media unlike the sisters who have endured horror on tour but kept themselves together in the line of fire.She is displaying weakness and need a strong backbone...unless she is going through boyfriend problems.
Hi Tossip Osaka has just withdrawn from the tournament and will take time away from the tour.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vince Evert

tossip

Grand Slam Champion
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
7,297
Reactions
2,600
Points
113
hi Margaret maybe she has problem with boyfriend..
 

Sundaymorningguy

Grand Slam Champion
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
6,385
Reactions
1,759
Points
113
Location
Norfolk, VA
I didn’t think she would withdraw, but I did get the sense push come to shove that she would consider it as an option.
 

Vince Evert

Multiple Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
3,900
Reactions
1,867
Points
113
E2WA7rBX0AYR6-3.jpg
 

Vince Evert

Multiple Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
3,900
Reactions
1,867
Points
113
This is a real shock, not to mention a huge blow to the tournament. I had no idea Naomi was struggling with depression like this, did any of you?
 

MargaretMcAleer

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
46,708
Reactions
30,787
Points
113
This is a real shock, not to mention a huge blow to the tournament. I had no idea Naomi was struggling with depression like this, did any of you?
Osaka had hinted at it when she said she would not be doing media at RG this year.Osaka should have not played RG she needs to get professional help,she said she has been struggling mentally since the USO 2018
 

Vince Evert

Multiple Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
3,900
Reactions
1,867
Points
113
Hi Tossip Osaka has just withdrawn from the tournament and will take time away from the tour.

Including bypassing Wimbledon and possibly the Olympics (if that goes ahead) ??? Yeah very sad, i feel very sorry for her.
Sounds like she's been carrying some scars since the U S Open 2018 final debacle.
 

MargaretMcAleer

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
46,708
Reactions
30,787
Points
113
Including bypassing Wimbledon and possibly the Olympics (if that goes ahead) ??? Yeah very sad, i feel very sorry for her.
Sounds like she's been carrying some scars since the U S Open 2018 final debacle.
It is better to get help ASAP she is too good of a tennis player,I would hate to see her off the tour period.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vince Evert

Vince Evert

Multiple Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
3,900
Reactions
1,867
Points
113
It is better to get help ASAP she is too good of a tennis player,I would hate to see her off the tour period.
yes i agree with you. I have always found her wonderful to watch and with a very placid demeanor. This is a tough loss to the tournament and maybe for the rest of this year.
 

MargaretMcAleer

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
46,708
Reactions
30,787
Points
113
yes i agree with you. I have always found her wonderful to watch and with a very placid demeanor. This is a tough loss to the tournament and maybe for the rest of this year.
It is a tough loss,still mental health should be her priority now,
 

kskate2

Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
31,039
Reactions
10,051
Points
113
Age
55
Location
Tampa Bay
Including bypassing Wimbledon and possibly the Olympics (if that goes ahead) ??? Yeah very sad, i feel very sorry for her.
Sounds like she's been carrying some scars since the U S Open 2018 final debacle.
Well we don't know if it was the final that made her depressed or just the way her life changed after becoming a slam winner. She had no problem collecting 3 other slams while dealing w/ bouts of depression.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vince Evert

tented

Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
21,703
Reactions
10,580
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
The other question is what about her sponsors? They can’t possibility be happy about any of this. No one would want to be the sponsor of the racket of the person who withdraws from a major because they don’t want to talk to the press.