Tennis star Naomi Osaka’s 2021 refusal to do press conferences at the French Open—sparking debates about athlete media obligations and mental health.
The Boycott
In May 2021, Naomi Osaka announced she wouldn’t do press conferences at the French Open, citing mental health. She was fined $15,000 after winning her first match. When tournament officials threatened harsher penalties, Osaka withdrew entirely, revealing she’d suffered depression since 2018 and found press conferences triggering anxiety.
Media and Public Reaction
The tennis establishment initially criticized Osaka—press conferences were contractual obligations. But as her depression disclosure emerged, sympathy grew. Fellow athletes (Serena Williams, Steph Curry) supported her. Media debated: were mandatory press conferences necessary, or were athletes entitled to boundaries? Was this a generation of athletes being “soft,” or finally prioritizing mental health?
Ongoing Struggles
Osaka took mental health breaks throughout 2021-2023, stepping away from tennis periodically. Her career—once on a Serena Williams trajectory—stalled. She became lightning rod in athlete mental health debates. Her situation raised questions: could elite athletes balance mental health needs with competitive demands? The conversation was far from resolved by 2023.
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