Naomi Osaka’s first press conference since her withdrawal from the French Open in June was cut short in Cincinnati on Monday as the former US Op0en champion struggled to ask media questions.
Osaka left the conference in tears after she was asked how she benefits from a high media profile but doesn’t lime talking to the media.
“Osaka tried to engage, but after her answer began crying,” tennis writer Ben Rothenburg reported.
The 23-year old then left the room, before returning and answering more questions.
Osaka had revealed her four-year long battle with depression in Paris in June.
“When you say I’m not crazy about dealing with you guys, what does that refer to?” Replied Osaka.
“Ever since I was younger, I have had a lot of media interest on me, and I think it’s because of my background as well.
“I can’t really help that there are some things that I tweet or some things that I say that kind of create a lot of news articles or things like that … but I would also say I’m not really sure how to balance the two. Like I’m figuring it out at the same time as you are, I would say.”
Osaka’s agent Stuart Duguid condemned the line of questioning.
“The bully at the Cincinnati Enquirer is the epitome of why player/media relations are so fraught right now,” Duguid said.
