French Open defends ‘pragmatic’ stance in Osaka dealings
The Hindu
Naomi Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros after she was fined $15,000 for skipping the postmatch news conference
French Open organizers said they took a ‘pragmatic’ approach in their dealings with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka earlier in the tournament, insisting they tried to engage with her several times before she decided to withdraw from the clay-court Grand Slam. Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros after she was fined $15,000 for skipping the postmatch news conference after her first-round victory at the French Open. She said she experienced anxiety before speaking to the media and revealed she suffered bouts of depression. "We really tried to engage with Naomi several times, several ways, including on the practice courts, including in writing," said Amelie Oudea-Castera, the French tennis federation director general.More Related News