Naomi Osaka Hits Back After Huge Backlash and $15,000 Penalty at French Open 2021

The four-time grand slam champion made a winning start to her French Open campaign by defeating Patricia Maria Tig in two tight-sets 6-4,7-6(4). Osaka took time to get used to the conditions in Paris as Maria Tig kept on fighting till the end.

After her victory, Naomi Osaka didn’t attend the press conference and stuck to her decision. Soon after, Roland Garros issued a fine of $15,000 dollars to the Japanese for skipping the pressers.

To make things worse for Osaka, all the four grand slams together have issued a statement warning the youngster of stricter punishments like getting defaulted from majors if she continues to skip press conferences in future.

It is a stern warning indeed from the four big entities of the sport. While Osaka is yet to reveal whether her decision sticks only to Roland Garros or will she follow the same for other grand slam as well. Whatever might be her decision, it appears that the young Japanese start has angered the big bosses of tennis.

Worth emphasising that it’s not a Roland Garros statement. It’s a statement from Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Australian Open and the US Open. It’s the four most powerful entities in tennis banding together to enforce a rule across all four events. It’s enormous overkill

— Matthew Willis (@mattracquet) May 30, 2021

“Anger is a lack of understanding”, Osaka tweeted after receiving the penalty
As the repercussions of her decision will soon be revealed, it looks like the youngster is not going to back down any time soon. After the joint statement by all four slams, Osaka posted a tweet.

“anger is a lack of understanding. change makes people uncomfortable”, wrote the two-time Australian Open champion.

anger is a lack of understanding. change makes people uncomfortable.

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 30, 2021

The tweet is a clever jibe aimed at critics and to all the grand slam organizers. The sudden decision taken by Osaka has been creating ripples on the tennis tour with most players acknowledging the importance of media.

But, both parties(Osaka and four slams) should find a middle-ground in dealing with this issue. Of course, emphasis should be given to players’ mental health at all costs. At the same time, players should also believe that it’s journalists that play an active role in promoting the sport and the player.