Editorial of the “World”. For sports fans, an athlete’s package always leaves a bitter taste and deep frustration. Regarding the withdrawal of the Japanese Naomi Osaka from the 2021 Roland-Garros tournament, Monday, May 31, this double feeling is all the stronger as better communication between the organizers of the competition and the tenniswoman could have avoided the psychodrama that has marred the first week of the French Open.
The controversy started with the refusal of the second player in the world, victorious in the last two Grand Slam tournaments, to lend herself to the exercise of post-match press conferences throughout Roland Garros. The practice can be experienced as restrictive by the players, but it is part of a system that benefits all of professional tennis. The press conference increases the media exposure of the athletes and the tournament. The more important it is, the higher the broadcasting rights and sponsorship contracts, the better the players are paid.
It was on social networks that Naomi Osaka announced her decision to boycott the press, without first informing the organizers of the French Open. After a victory in the first round of the competition, the champion of Japanese-Haitian origin respected the course of action she had set, which earned her a fine of 15,000 dollars (12,300 euros). Faced with the threat of being excluded from the four Grand Slam tournaments in the event of a repeat offense, she preferred to throw in the towel, saying that, depressed, she wanted to protect her mental health.
The argument is fully admissible. The way to proceed less understandable. The organizers, as former tennis players for the most part, know the needs of the players and only learned of his difficulties when the announcement of his retirement. If Osaka had known how to confide in advance, solutions to support it would have could be found.
Media pressure
The player explains that she is satisfied with the direct link that she maintains with her fans on social networks and that media pressure makes her doubt her game. Admittedly, the questions asked at a press conference are not always the most relevant , but exercise is part of the game. Extracting from it when all the players are ready would not be fair.
This controversy nevertheless raises a legitimate debate on the pace of the professional circuit. Athletes undoubtedly play too much, and the demands placed on them are certainly excessive. But these are compensations accepted in exchange for a comfortable remuneration.
If Osaka is the highest paid female athlete in the world, with $ 55 million earned in 2020, mainly thanks to sponsorship deals, it is above all because she accepts to play a lot and benefits from strong media exposure. It is difficult to refuse to assume the disadvantages of the system without giving up its advantages.
The organizers of the Grand Slam tournaments have promised to ” to work ” for “Make significant improvements” to the environment of the players. But should we not go further, by questioning this endless race for money? Are both sides ready for it?
