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regular-article-logo Sunday, 12 May 2024

Naomi Osaka media boycott: Nadal, Djokovic, Swiatek react

The four-time Grand Slam winner will open her French Open campaign against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig

Our Bureau Published 28.05.21, 09:03 PM
Naomi Osaka is yet to go past the third round in French Open

Naomi Osaka is yet to go past the third round in French Open Facebook/US Open Tennis Championships

Naomi Osaka has kicked up a storm by deciding to boycott the press in the upcoming French Open.

So much so that it has sparked reactions from 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, world no. 1 Novak Djokovic and women's singles defending champion Iga Swiatek.

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Nadal, without disregarding Osaka’s decision, said that "we will not be the athletes that we are today" without the press. “I understand her, but for me without the press, without the people who are writing the news and achievements that we are having around the world probably we will not be the athletes that we are today,” Nadal, who is eyeing his 21st Grand Slam, was quoted as saying by AFP.

Djokovic, who has previously faced a $7,500 fine for boycotting the press at the US Open, responded to Osaka's call at the ongoing Belgrade Open. “She probably has her reasons why. I don't know the WTA rules and the Grand Slam rules - whether they have to fine her or not, if she decides to avoid attending press conferences? I'm not sure. I don't know what to think about it, to be honest,” said Djokovic.

Iga Swiatek, who won the French Open 2020 women’s singles title, could relate to Osaka. “It's important because not everybody is a professional athlete and not everybody knows what we are dealing with on court. It's good to speak about that,” she told AFP.

Naomi Osaka will open her French Open campaign against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig on Sunday. Nadal will lock horns with Australia's Alexei Popyrin, and Djokovic with USA's Tennys Sandgren.

Big Three In Same Draw

The big three -- Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer -- are in the same half of the Roland Garros draw. But that’s hardly giving Nadal sleepless nights.

“I see it as natural. One player is almost 40, another is almost 35 and the other is 34. It seems logical that younger players will climb in the rankings. I see it as completely normal. I’m not worried about it.” Nadal told atptour.com.

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