Osaka causes a racket after media boycott

LOS ANGELES: The coach of tennis player Naomi Osaka says she is using her superstar status to force change with her controversial media boycott at the French Open.

“Athletes want more freedom in dealing with the press,” said Osaka’s Belgian coach,Wim Fissette. “So that they are simply not threatened right away with punishment if they don’t feel well for a day.” On Sunday, officials at Roland Garros threatened

Osaka, the world number two, with disqualification if she persists in boycotting media press conferences, which she claims are detrimental to her mental health.

The 23-year-old was fined $15 000 (about R206 000) for not attending a press conference after her opening 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romanian world number 63 Patricia Maria Tig. Osaka agreed only to a on-court TV interview. Osaka has likened traditional post-match press conferences to “kicking people when they’re down”. The French Tennis Federation has called her vow of silence “a phenomenal error”.