Four-time Major champion
Naomi Osaka announced that she will not be participating in any press conferences at
Roland Garros, with the belief that athletes mental health during that stressful period should be taken into consideration.
The WTA World No.2 released a statement on social media, claiming that she has witnessed people asking questions with "no regards for athletes mental health." Furthermore, the Japanese superstar added that she would not subject herself to people that "doubt her" and compares it to "kicking a person while they are down."
Osaka went on to clarify that it was nothing personal against the tournament, but the mental health of athletes could not be ignored, especially since they are the centerpieces of the entire event.
The
French Open kicks off on May 30, 2021.