Former tennis star Kimiko Date believes Naomi Osaka takers her media obligations 'too seriously'

Retired Japanese tennis pro Kimiko Date is of the opinion that compatriot Naomi Osaka takes her media duties too seriously, and this has played a role in her recent issues.

Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros earlier this year after refusing to participate in press conferences, and took a hiatus to focus on her mental well-being soon after. The four-time Grand Slam champion would return at the Tokyo Olympics and US Open, losing in the third round at both events. Subsequently, she announced she would be taking a break from tennis and has not played ever since.

In an interview with Number 1 Shimbun, Date, a former World No.4, empathized with Osaka.

"Osaka and I have one thing in common," said Date. "We rose up the rankings very suddenly and we weren’t really prepared for what it meant. Her personality is one that takes everything to heart in a serious way and I think this exacerbates the problems she’s had.

"You can deal with the media in many ways; you can say everything to them, or a little bit or nothing. I get the impression Osaka actually takes her media obligations too seriously. Maybe she thinks she has to answer all their questions and so feels pressure that way. I really understand her feeling."

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Date won the Japan Open a record four times during her career, also reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. She retired from professional tennis in 1996, but announced an unexpected comeback in 2008. Date triumphed at the Korean Open the next year, becoming the second-oldest player in the Open Era to win a WTA title.

After finally retiring in 2017, Date offered some words of advice to the younger Osaka.

"When I was rising in the rankings, it was mainly just the Japanese media and there was no internet then, but everything Osaka does is reported worldwide, so the pressure she feels is so much greater," Date stated.

"I think all the top players are affected by stress that affects their mental health, but they have to find a way to deal with these problems. You can’t refuse to attend press conferences just because you lose. You have to find a way to deal with the media."