Staff Reporter.
World number two Naomi Osaka let her racquet do the talking at the French Open on Sunday when she reached the second round with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig.
The 23-year-old Japanese star, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, has refused to carry out media obligations at the tournament, claiming news conferences are detrimental to her mental health.
Her move has been applauded by athletes in tennis and beyond, as the once shy 23-year-old has again sought to use her platform to prompt discussion and push for change.
Some tennis officials have been less supportive: she faces huge fines – up to $20,000 (£14,160) per news conference – for failing to carry out the media commitments that are in the Grand Slam rule book – but the very fact she can afford to pay them means she is among the best placed players to take a stand.
In response to Osaka, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said the players “have a responsibility to their sport and their fans” to speak to the media during competitions.
However, she did agree to a quick on-court television interview after Sunday’s win.
“For me, playing on clay is a work in progress,” said the reigning US and Australian Open champion on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier.
“Hopefully the more I play, the better I will become. It’s a beautiful court. I’ve only played two matches here, one before the roof and one now so hopefully I’ll keep it going.”
Osaka, who has never got past the third round in Paris, fired 39 winners but committed 35 unforced errors against her 63rd-ranked opponent.
Next up for the second seed is another Romanian player, Ana Bogdan.
Three-times Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, however, the 26th seed, was stunned by Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-4 on Court 14.