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Sports

Whether you're into football, athletics, tennis, golf or cricket, join the dicsussion on our Sport forum.

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Original poster

Naomi Osaka

64 replies

lightand · 31/05/2021 21:28

Not sure why I am finding this interesting, but I am.
Maybe because I am a bit on the fence about it. Or the net!

She is a world ranking tennis player who is refusing to speak to the media, because she has mental health issues, and says it causes her huge anxiety to talk to them.

I think I am coming down on the side of, if that is what she wants to do, that is up to her.

OP posts:

NutellaEllaElla · 02/06/2021 08:50

I guess we don't know enough to make a proper judgement, but I maintain that there is a difference between feeling anxiety about public speaking (which I don't think this even is as I don't think she avoids other public speaking occasions), and significant, disabling MH problems that affect your life.

artquejtion · 02/06/2021 08:50

All sorts of work comes with all sorts of contractual obligations - that are waived due to health or mental health reasons.

I don't know about that ...... I had a job where about 4 times per year I was required to give a 45 minute public presentation to 500+ strangers. I would be sick for days beforehand, not sleeping, diarrhea, couldn't eat, dry mouth etc.

I hated travelling, hated flying, but had to fly every 2 weeks or so.

It was part of my job, there was no way that part of my job description could or would be waived. If I was unable to do that part of it, it absolutely meant I was not suitable for the role.

I moved on to another role and have never given a public presentation since, but still had to travel for work.

imjustanerd · 02/06/2021 08:59

I had no idea who she was until I read about it in the news (not a sport or tennis fan) but I totally got where she was coming from.
I suffer from the same type of fear I can't bear the thought of public speaking or being scrutinised so much so I've avoided so many careers and doing certain things because of it.

The whole world is geared towards being extrovert and confident when that is not everyone's strengths. People who are quite extrovert just don't understand and expect you to get over yourself but it's not as easy as that.

Rebornagain · 02/06/2021 09:42

So my understanding is she doesn't want to talk the press prior and after a match?

If she doesn't that is very arrogant of her!!

Yeah I get it they don't want to be interviewed following a defeat but they know this part of the process. It also gives an insight to their character.

It is easy to interview when things go their way

CrazyCatsAndKittens · 02/06/2021 09:46

It is easy to interview when things go their way

I think if you watch her interviews, then it's pretty clear that even when she wins, she doesn't find it easy.

itsgettingwierd · 02/06/2021 09:59

Also watched this with interest.

My initial thoughts are if the media chats are causing so much difficulty for players (sports people across the board in general) but are part of the generation of money then the whole thing needs a rethink.

Our sports players already perform on media platforms (TV) they are already very exposed however well they do. And they work damn hard to be top of their craft.

But there's also an issue that different sports generate vast differing amounts of income for their sports people (swimming v football for example).

I would remove the price tag being attached to media interviews. Charge set amounts for outlets to stream the competitions and then have sponsorship attached separately for those who wish to be sponsors and advertise their brand. Differing amounts dependent on what they can/ want to do.

Then media pay players independently of their income from being a sports person if they wish to do an interview. Remove the conditions attached.

If sport was funded correctly for doing the actual training and sport players wouldn't feel pressurised to do media interviews they are comfortable with. I don't agree you must be media savvy to be able to excel and achieve in your sport. I don't agree with sports players having to withdraw from competitions because they are not able to do media interviews.

I don't think there's a simple or easy solution but I do think that the whole thing needs an overview and we need to focus on the craft far more than the ability to court the media. Or it excludes top athletes based on their personality and not ability.

Comefromaway · 02/06/2021 10:13

@NutellaEllaElla

This isn't an example of objecting to inappropriate questions. RG have said that Naomi has not spoken to them to discuss her objections.

Elite sport is high pressure, people with MH disabilities wouldn't be able to compete. I've seen it in pro cycling, several cyclists in recent years have competed then dropped out because the whole lifestyle - intense training, dietary regimes, time away from friends and family etc is bad for their MH and they can't sustain it. That is perhaps more information that Naomi has given. From what we have been told, it just sounds like she doesn't like press conferences.

Are you saying that no athlete with for example, autism would ever be able to compete because that is wrong. In fact a condition like autism often enables an athlete (or dancer in my daughter's case) to hyper focus on the training etc in order to be successful.

itsgettingwierd · 02/06/2021 10:28

Agree come my ds had a physical disability as well as autism and competes in para sport. He has the potential to go far and it terrifies me all the dedication and time will not be recognised if he can't do interviews. He's good at his sport. Talking to cameras has nothing to do with his sporting ability.

Comefromaway · 02/06/2021 10:30

I can only relate it to dance and performance itsgettingwierd but I know that dd expends so much mental energy when she is dancing on stage that afterwards she has to decompress.

reallyreallyborednow · 02/06/2021 10:34

I can only relate it to dance and performance itsgettingwierd but I know that dd expends so much mental energy when she is dancing on stage that afterwards she has to decompress

Yep after dc competes, even if they win or had a very good comp, there’s an adrenaline drop about 10 minutes after and sometimes they just need to have a good cry or just sit by themselves for a bit. Not because they’re upset or unhappy, just that competing means being on that fight or flight high for over an hour sometimes, and you are just physically and mentally done.

artquejtion · 02/06/2021 11:51

I just saw a post from someone with links to 2 of her appearances on Ellen in 2018 and 2019. My god, the poor girl, she was so shy and Ellen was awful to her, really embarrassing her.

She has that very shy Japanese demeanour.

itsgettingwierd · 02/06/2021 14:18

@artquejtion

I just saw a post from someone with links to 2 of her appearances on Ellen in 2018 and 2019. My god, the poor girl, she was so shy and Ellen was awful to her, really embarrassing her.

She has that very shy Japanese demeanour.

That's really sad.

I think people refuse to equate elite athlete with anything other than confident extrovert.

They assume because the sports are televised everyone wants to be in the limelight. The truth is most actually don't seek it and most can manage it. But the dedication to being a top athlete is such that you couldn't do it just for media coverage. The media coverage comes with the doing it. And most are very able to shut out the cameras as they focus so hard on their actual performance/game/race etc

colouringcrayons · 02/06/2021 15:39

Think also tennis has suffered from lack of personalities - if they want a wider range of people they may need to accept greater diversity of person who plays. I think Osaka brings a different audience with her different approach to life and the game.

NutellaEllaElla · 02/06/2021 16:36

@Comefromaway Autism is a developmental disability, not a mental health disability. I think my post was pretty clear though, elite sports is high stress and isn't suited for everyone.

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