Naomi Osaka recently announced that she would be holding any post-match press conference citing mental health reasons and Barty, Swiatek and Medvedev voiced their opinions on the decision.
It was a very unexpected decision by Osaka who decided to skip all Roland Garros press conferences this year citing mental health reasons. She explained her position in a lengthy statement she posted online. The decision received a lot of backlash in the tennis world on top of the fine she will get for each skipped press conference.
Ahead of the French Open many players were holding media day press conferences and several were asked about their opinions. Check out what some players said down below.
BARTY: "Press is part of the job. We know what we're signing for. Never had any issue doing it. But I can't comment on what she (Naomi) might be going through."
NADAL: "I respect Naomi as an athlete and person. I respect her decision but without the press, without people travelling & writing the news and our achievements, probably we wouldn’t be the athletes that we are today. We wouldn’t have the recognition we have around the world. I understand her but the media are a very important part of our sport"
MEDVEDEV: "I understand why she does it. I respect her opinion. Talking about journalists, I have no problems. I always try to come to press conferences, good mood or bad mood. And I feel like even sometimes the bad mood, I can be in good mood after talking to you guys."
SWIATEK: "I don't [think press conferences affect my mental health]. I personally feel that this is part of the job."