Sleep relaxation app Calm vows to cover any fines handed out to tennis stars who choose not to take part in press conferences due to mental health after Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from French Open this week
- Naomi Osaka pulled out of Roland Garros after opting not to do any media duties
- The world number two was fined £10,600 for her media blackout this week
- The Japanese tennis star revealed she was suffering from mental health issues
- Sleep app ‘Calm’ will cover fines handed out to tennis stars who snub the media
A relaxation app has offered to cover fines handed out to Naomi Osaka and any other tennis players who pull out of Grand Slam media interviews due to mental health.
World number two Osaka pulled out of the French Open after receiving a £10,600 fine for not appearing in front of the press after his first round victory at Roland Garros.
And sleep relaxation app Calm has announced it not only cover the player’s fine but it will provide a donation of the same amount of money to global sporting organisation Laureus Sport.
A relaxation app has offered to cover fines handed out to players, such as Naomi Osaka, who choose not to Grand Slam media interviews due to mental health
Calm say they will pay Osaka’s fine for pulling out of Roland Garros earlier this week
A social media statement by the relaxation group read: ‘Calm will also pay the fine for players opting out of 2021 Grand Slam media appearances for mental health reasons, and we will match the fine with a 15,000 dollar donation to @LaureusSport.’
The Calm app produces meditation products such as guided meditations and sleep stories read by the likes of Stephen Fry, Kate Winslet, Harry Styles, Idris Elba, and LeBron James.
Whilst withdrawing from the Grand Slam tournament this week, Osaka announced she would be taking time away from the court and revealed her experiences of issues with depression and social anxiety.
World number two Osaka withdrew from the French Open after being fined £10,600
In a statement on her social media she said: ‘I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.
‘I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly I would never trivialise mental health or use the term lightly.
Osaka’s withdrawal statement on Monday
‘The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.
‘Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologise especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.
‘So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences. I announced it pre-emptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.
‘I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans.’
Since Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open, the Grand Slam tournaments released a joint statement vowing to ‘improve the player experience’ at major tennis tournaments.
The Grand Slams have announced they want to ‘improve the player experience’ at tournaments
‘On behalf of the grand slams, we wish to offer Naomi Osaka our support and assistance in any way possible as she takes time away from the court,’ read the statement. ‘She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate.
‘Mental health is a very challenging issue, which deserves our utmost attention. It is both complex and personal, as what affects one individual does not necessarily affect another.
‘We commend Naomi for sharing in her own words the pressures and anxieties she is feeling and we empathise with the unique pressures tennis players may face.
Osaka will be taking time away from the court and may not appear at Wimbledon this year
‘While players’ well-being has always been a priority to the grand slams, our intention, together with the WTA, the ATP and the ITF, is to advance mental health and well-being through further actions.’
However, Osaka will reportedly have to complete her media duties should she compete at Wimbledon later this year, with a decision regarding her participation set to be decided in the next few days.
The Japanese tennis player has received support from the likes of men’s world number one Novak Djokovic and Judy Murray after her decision to withdraw from Roland Garros.
However, tennis legend Boris Becker has claimed Osaka’s tennis future is ‘in danger’ as she ‘can’t cope with part of the job’.