Naomi Osaka refuses to do press at French Open, citing importance of mental health

Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka announced Wednesday that she will not take part in any press conferences during the upcoming French Open. The No. 2-ranked women's tennis player announced her decision across social media platforms, saying she wanted to focus on her mental health.

"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," the 23-year-old wrote. "We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm not just going to subject myself to people that doubt me." She described athletes breaking down in front of media after a loss, believing the practice of requiring athletes to talk about their losses after a game is like "kicking a person while they're down." She also said her decision was "nothing personal to the tournament," or to the press, with whom she generally has a friendly relationship.