Opinion | EdgeofSports: The backlash from tournament officials feels like a tone-deaf attempt to discipline tennis’s brightest young female star. - MSNBCDaily
; to make sure a young athlete knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is not bigger than the sport; to tell Osaka to do as she is told, mental well-being be damned.
These points are valid; but the real question is a cultural one, not one of the press. There should be a way to find common ground with Osaka, or any athlete, a way to figure out how to make sure these press events are designed to be less taxing and more accommodating, especially to someone who is openly saying they are struggling with mental health. But the response from tournament officials have made the possibility of striking common ground feel unlikely.
Meanwhile, the minders of tennis seem to be sending an ugly message to their athletes, particularly women and even more particularly young women of color: Advocate for your mental health, as long as it doesn’t gum up the corporate machinery. If the responses so far are any indication, this approach is simply not going to fly in 2021. And the Grand Slam authoritarians of tennis are going to have to learn that lesson the hard way. For now though, we have no Osaka at Roland-Garros, and the entire sport is weaker for it.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tennis Star Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open Amid Media Snub Controversy – UpdateUPDATE May 31: The standoff between Naomi Osaka and the French Open over her refusal to participate in post-match press conferences came to a boil today. The tennis superstar announced that she has…
Read more »
Naomi Osaka Withdraws from French Open, Reveals 'Long Bouts of Depression'Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open amid her press conference skipping controversy, saying she doesn't want to be a distraction.
Read more »
Navratilova sad for Osaka, says mental health gets short shriftWomen's tennis great Martina Navratilova on Monday said she was saddened by Naomi Osaka's decision to withdraw from the French Open following the controversy over her decision to boycott media obligations.
Read more »
Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open Amid Debate Over News ConferencesIn Osaka's exit, she revealed a long-running struggle with depression and cast doubt on the rest of her season.
Read more »
Naomi Osaka says she will withdraw from 2021 French OpenNaomi Osaka said on Twitter that “the best thing” for the French Open is if she withdraws from the tournament.
Read more »
Naomi Osaka Responds to Being Fined for Snubbing Media at French OpenNaomi Osaka appears ready to stick to her guns on skipping pressers after her matches.
Read more »