Tennis players having to talk to the media.

[Jaded]

Naomi Osaka is having a trouble with the French Open and the media.

She has said that she won't do the obligatory post match Press Conferences, and TBH, I agree with her. She says it is to protect her mental health. Good on her.

Organisers "A core element of the Grand Slam regulations is the responsibility of the players to engage with the media, whatever the result of their match, a responsibility which players take for the benefit of the sport, the fans and for themselves"

I call bollocks on that... and add the smell of money as the main reason...

Would you not watch a match (and buy the sponsors' products) if there wasn't a bear-pit grilling of the combatants afterwards?

[hatler]

I'm with Naomi.

Her talent is banging a ball over a net. If that was my talent and I wasn't comfortable chatting with numbskull journos after a loss, I'd like to think I'd take the same stance.

Can't she get a doctor's note ?   Not taking mental health issues seriously in this day and age is a big no-no.

[Peter]

I agree; refusal to talk to the "press" didn't do Alex Ferguson much harm.  In fact, it may well have saved a few reporters' lives.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

They aren’t sportspeople, they are professionals. A big part of that job is media work. Don’t do the work means don’t get paid the big bucks. Don’t enter the event and stick to the amateur circuit.

[Peter]

Generally, I would agree, D.  What makes me pause is the mention of mental difficulties.  However, whatever they are (and I'm not belittling them - just don't know) they don't seem to be affecting her play.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

If she can’t do the whole job, then why is she there? Either don’t enter or withstand the same pressures (e.g. media time and stress) as her opponents, otherwise she has a competitive advantage over them.

[Peter]

Yes, that is a point of view.  Kim Hughes, ex-captain of some cricket team or other comes to mind!

[LittleWheelsandBig]

My opinion on professionals remains the same, regardless of who we are talking about.

[Peter]

I wasn't making a firm argument.  Only demonstrating compassion for a fellow human being whose interview appeared distressing to me.  I don't know enough, or indeed anything much about the tennis-player's case and I see the logic in your suggestion that it would appear that she is not submitting to the same conditions as her rivals.  But I don't know enough about it and will leave it there.

[Jaded]

They aren’t sportspeople, they are professionals. A big part of that job is media work. Don’t do the work means don’t get paid the big bucks. Don’t enter the event and stick to the amateur circuit.

They are tennis players. A big part of the job is playing and trying to win tennis matches.

Sitting in a Press Conference 10 mins after a match is not relevant, sorry. Why not the next day?

Perhaps you’d like to visit the last part of the OP....

[StuAff]

Idiocy. Just fine her, take her money and leave her the **** alone. If and when she does decide to talk to them, perhaps the press could actually ask some interesting questions…

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Talking to the media is as much a part of the Grand Slam rules as hitting the ball over the net. Escalating penalties - fine, DQ, refuse entry. She is at Stage 1.

[hatler]

I like watching people hitting a ball back and forth across a net.

I'm significantly less interested in hearing them talk about it.

I get that there are rules, but if this is affecting her mental health then the authorities should be taking a long hard look at themselves. Aside from anything else I would think they are leaving themselves open to a potential damages claim if it can be demonstrated her health is affected.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

There is no evidence provided, just a fait accompli, to the organisers.

If I was a competitor, I would not want somebody else to get an unfair advantage. Either everybody does media or nobody. If there is no media, the event goes downhill.

[Jaded]

Idiocy. Just fine her, take her money and leave her the **** alone. If and when she does decide to talk to them, perhaps the press could actually ask some interesting questions…

+1

If you are a bit obsessed with what goes on inside their heads, read the Daily Mail, or Hello magazine.

[Jaded]

There is no evidence provided, just a fait accompli, to the organisers.

To require "evidence" of mental health issues in this context shows a lack of knowledge of them.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Stage 2 is DQ from the French Open. Stage 3 is refuse entry to future Grand Slams.

Is she seeking treatment or counselling in any way? Has there been any attempt to negotiate reduced media responsibilities?

[Jaded]

Either everybody does media or nobody. If there is no media, the event goes downhill.

I always wondered what made a good tennis tournament.

Now, I know. 

[Jaded]

Stage 2 is DQ from the French Open. Stage 3 is refuse entry to future Grand Slams.

So, bullying.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Is it ok if she doesn’t have to hit the ball over the net?

[Jaded]

Is it ok if she doesn’t have to hit the ball over the net?

As I understood it, that is tennis.

Sitting at a table full of microphones 20 mins (is it 10 mins?) afterwards, is not tennis.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

It is being a professional player at a Grand Slam. It is a big part of the job. That is why doing that is specifically written into the Grand Slam rules.

The interview is within 30 minutes of the end of the match, from memory.

[Jaded]

Woosh.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

No. You think being a professional tennis player is just hitting the ball. Being pro is doing everything, including media responsibilities, otherwise stick with being a talented amateur tennis player and avoid professional responsibilities.

[Jaded]

So, you think, on the other hand, that if you are a good tennis player, able to beat the best in the world, you cannot.