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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Japanese World No.2 Naomi Osaka made a revolutionizing statement boycotting press conferences at the French Open 2021. However, since then, she has received heavy backlash and even a whopping $15,000 penalty.
Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 30, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her first round match against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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Moreover, the Grand Slam Board has sent her an official warning of increasing fines and a possible default from Roland-Garros. On the same subject, her compatriot and former World No.4 Kei Nishikori has presented his opinion.
Kei Nishikori agrees with Rafael Nadal against Naomi Osaka
Primarily, the four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka made her decision regarding media not propping the mental health of athletes. However, most top players, including 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, acclaimed the importance of media.
“Without the press, without the people who normally is travelling, or counting I mean, are writing the news and the achievements that we are having around the world. Probably, we will not be the athletes that we are today,” Nadal said previously. However, the Spaniard also emphasized that he respected her decision.
Now, it is the 31-year-old Kei Nishikori who has weighed in on this new-heated debate in tennis. He, too, mentioned that there’s more to her decision but sided entirely with Rafa.
“It is not good, but you have to understand what her situation is. So there are pros and cons. Just look at what Rafa Nadal said about the topic. I totally agree with him,” Kei said.
Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 30, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her first round match against Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Furthermore, fans are intrigued to see how Osaka will play this out besides tennis at Roland-Garros. Well, she already indirectly hit back on the Grand Slam Board’s decision against her.
Osaka and Nishikori get a winning start at French Open 2021
On Roland-Garros Day 1, Naomi Osaka steered past Patricia Tig comfortably, 6-4, 7-6(4). She will take on Romanian Ana Bogdan in the second round.
On the men’s side, Kei Nishikori survived the fifth set in his opening match to book a seat against Russian Karen Khachanov. He defeated Alessandro Giannessi 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
The five-set king scores another five-set win 👏@keinishikori outlasts Giannessi 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FctRLulTAk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 30, 2021
The record 13-time champion Rafael Nadal is yet to begin his campaign at Roland-Garros 2021. He will meet Australian youngster Alexei Popyrin in this first round.
All in all, fans are now looking forward to Osaka’s second-round match but for the wrong reasons. What do you think the Japanese will do, attend the press or continue her boycott?
Watch this story: Champions! Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, And Others’ Trophy Lifts at French Open
