Naomi Osaka has been hit with a $15,000 fine for refusing to partake in any media obligations at the French Open, which included attending a recent press conference.
And it seems Osaka's punishment could get even worse after she was later threatened with disqualification from the prestigious tournament.
"We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations during the tournament, she would be exposing herself to possible further Code of Conduct infringement consequences, a joint-statement from the four Grand Slams read.
"As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament."
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The Japanese megastar returned serve on social media, saying: "Anger is a lack of understanding. change makes people uncomfortable."
Osaka recently announced that she would be going on a media boycott at Roland Garros, citing mental health concerns as one of her reasons.
"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," she said.
"We're often sat there and asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me. I've watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well. I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they're down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it... However, if the organisations think that they can just keep saying, 'do press or you're gonna be fined,' and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are the centrepiece of their cooperation then I just gotta laugh.
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"Anyways, I hope the considerable amount I get fined for this will go towards a mental health charity."
Well, it appears Osaka has now copped that fine she alluded to.
And she has received absolutely zero sympathy from officials with French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton absolutely slating the world number 2 for her move.
"It is a phenomenal error and it shows to what extent it is necessary to have strong governance," Moretton said.
"What is happening is not, in my opinion, acceptable. It is tennis we want to promote."
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It's understood four-time Grand Slam title winner Osaka will be fined around $15,000 every time she misses a press conference.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Tennis, Tennis news, Naomi Osaka, Australia
