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Naomi Osaka: Would She Regret Quitting the 2021 French Open?
Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the 2021 French Open was a public relations disaster for the Grand Slam organisers.
Their initial message was that mental health deserves their utmost attention but they still want their rules and regulations to be followed. They warned Osaka that her decision and future refusal to attend her press conferences may lead to suspension from grand slam tournaments.
She was willing to pay a penalty for not attending her press conference. Her state of mind and mental health was more important.
Then she decided to withdraw from the tournament altogether.
The grand slam organisers said that…
“…no player has an unfair advantage over another.”
Should the Grand Slams change their rules for her?
It’s not easy to get rules to be changed, especially in well established and prestigious sporting events like the (tennis) Grand Slams. The rules were put in place for specific reasons to make it an even playing field for everyone.
Are those rules still relevant today?
What Was She Trying To Achieve?
- Avoid journalists asking her awkward questions that made her feel uncomfortable?