Naomi Osaka has been fined $15,000 (£10,570) for her refusal to “honour her contractual media obligations” following her 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Patricia Maria Tig in her first-round match at Roland Garros on Sunday .
In a lengthy and stern statement released shortly after her win, the four grand slam tournaments warned that should Osaka repeatedly violate the rules, she could be “exposing herself” to sanctions including being thrown out of the tournament and a major offence investigation that could lead to future grand slam suspensions.
Osaka had announced on Wednesday that she would not take part in press conferences at Roland Garros due to their effects on her mental health.
In a statement posted on her social media channels, she criticised press conferences as “kicking a person while they’re down”, with journalists asking questions that “bring doubt into our minds”.
After a “lack of engagement” from Osaka, the Grand Slam organisers wrote to her to offer support, as well as to “remind her of her obligations”.
Many athletes, both in and out of tennis, applauded Osaka’s stance, though many accepted that speaking to the media is “part of the job”.
Following her win over Tig, Osaka did take part in the usual on-court interview with the victor.
Osaka will next face Ana Bogdan, another Romanian, in the second round on Tuesday. She will have two days to consider whether to double down on her decision not to speak with the press or to come up with an alternative solution.
On the court, the biggest test for her could be Paula Badosa, the 23-year-old Spaniard who has recorded a 14-2 record on clay this year and looms in the third round.
