World No2 Naomi Osaka risks Wimbledon, French Open and other Grand Slams BAN if she continues refusing to speak to media
NAOMI OSAKA risks being banned from this year’s French Open, Wimbledon and US Open if she continues to stay silent.
After beating Romanian Patricia Maria Tig 6-4 7-6 in the first round, for which she has earned a minimum of £72,000, the world No2 refused to conduct her obligatory post-match press conference.
Almost four hours after her victory on Sunday, she was handed a $15,000 (£10,600) fine for keeping quiet.
And a hardline statement – signed by the top officials at the four Slams – warned that if she persisted skipping pressers, she could be disqualified and even banned from future competitions.
The four Slams said: “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.
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The 23-year-old was blasted by seven-time major winner Mats Wilander for her attitude and not fronting up in front of the microphone.
Swede Wilander, 56, told Eurosport: “Don’t go and play the tournament then.
“Why should she be treated any differently to the other players? That’s not fair to the other players.
“She definitely has to do it. She has sponsors. She is the highest-paid female athlete in the world.
“We want to see great champions win, we want to see them celebrate, but we also want to be inspired by great athletes when things are tough.
“We are all struggling with mental issues these days during the pandemic, but Naomi, I think you need to reconsider.
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“Or I would say: Don’t play in the tournament until you are ready to face the job.
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“In Japan, she is absolutely huge, maybe the biggest athlete that any country has ever produced.
“And they don’t get to hear her talk. It’s a really bad move and I love what all the players are saying about it.”