eBusiness Weekly
Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis ace, is a four-time Grand Slam champion.
The 24-year-old achieved the ranking of World no.1 in January 2019. Further up till now, she has seven singles titles under her name.
Over the past few years, Osaka has been pretty vocal about believing in what she stands for one such aspect was mental health.
In fact, last year, Osaka got caught in an argument with the regulatory body of the French Open when she refused to attend the post-match conferences.
She was fined for skipping a press conference after winning the first round. Thereafter, she withdrew from the tournament citing the need to protect her mental health.
Changes in French Open After Naomi Osaka Incident
Now, after 12 months, Osaka has decided to step into the clay courts of the French Open. Therefore, Amelie Mauresmo, the director of the French Open, assured that the required changes have been made.
She said, “The post match for players will be made more fluid. First of all, we will now have a mixed zone for the players who do not raise big attendance in the press room. Sometimes, there are two or three people. It’s a bit heavy, it’s a bit empty, etc.
To make something more dynamic, more friendly, almost in a way for the players and a bit faster. As soon as it’s finished, it doesn’t drag on.”
Mauresmo further explained, “This year we also have moderators in the press room in order for players not to feel uncomfortable if there are always the same questions, to say ‘well I think that he or she has answered the question, we’ll move on to the next topic etc.’ So that’s a kind of assistance.”
Osaka’s Current Status
Osaka, after regaining her form in the Miami Open, was optimistic about changing her clay based records.
However, she hasn’t been able to leave an impact on any of the tournaments of this year’s clay season.
Naomi participated in the Madrid Open, where she failed to defeat the Spanish tennis ace Sara Sorribes Tormo in the round of 32.
Following that, she was supposed to compete in the Italian Open.
However, the Japanese announced that she will keep out of the Rome based event because of an Achilles injury.
Speaking about the upcoming French Open, Osaka has assured that she will be fit by the time the event commences.
The qualifiers of the French Open will be held at the end of this month and the tournament will host its finale in the first week of June. – Essentially Sports
