Naomi Osaka acknowledges the crowd following her win against Patricia Maria Tig in the first round of the French Open at Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris, May 30, 2021.This week, everyone agreed that sports press conferences are the worst. It was a bit of a pile-on. So it shouldn’t surprise us that the press conferences have begun lashing out.
Even before she made that mistake, she made another – announcing her intention to break the rules. Nobody calls the bank to let them know their security system is easily bypassedThis allowed the pro-press-conference forces to begin marshalling a defence. Once battle was joined, Osaka retreated. If Osaka doesn’t want to speak to the media, she cannot be forced to do so. She could decide not to show up. She could show up and say nothing. She could show up and pull a Marshawn Lynch – monosyllables.The problem wasn’t that Osaka wanted to bend the rules. It was that she wanted everyone to agree with her that the rules ought to be bent.
The threat was ludicrous on its face. Worse, this is the sort of thing that starts revolutions where no revolutionary spirit exists. Their mistake wasn’t pushing back on a top player. It wasn’t issuing a provocative public statement. It wasn’t even being – the worst thing you can call anyone these days – insensitive.This was a fight about journalism. Let journalists fight that fight. If tennis players want to fight it back, fair play to them. They have more profile. We have more bitterness. I like our chances.
That talent for drama is more important for the business of tennis than the actual tennis. A million people can hit a ball over the net at speed. Only a very few can migrate out of the Sports pages and into every other section of the newspaper.Barty is a phenomenal athlete who does a solid news conference. And were she to sit down beside you at a bus stop, you would have no clue who she was. That the best women’s player is anonymous is great for Barty’s lifestyle, but not so great for tennis.
“Flair for drama” is misogynoir. Please stop.
Disappointed, i expect better from glabeandmail
There is a lot more to this story. All we know is there is a need for reflection and conversation going forward. With that theglobeandmail can do better to serve readers by focusing on the truth. 🧐
There is so much about this that makes me angry. Prioritizing mental health = drama. Got it. Also, she’s 23, not 27. And what does her education have to do with any of this?! Female athletes in sports deserve so much better.
Like our timid and shy PM, she labels herself an introvert.
Drama? Hmmm.