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Naomi Osaka & mental health
Comments
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What we don't know is if there were any discussions in the previous weeks. Did she approach them and ask for press conferences to be delayed, or if she could send her coach in her stead if she didn't feel she could handle it at the time. If that happened and the response was just being reminded of her obligations with no hint of compromise, then she may have felt that the nuclear "no press" options was the only option she was left with.
If there were no previous discussions then it wasn't a great move by her and was guaranteed to cause problems.2 -
Agreed.Big_Bad_World said:Re-work the whole prize money side of things. Have a two tiered system. One whereby you have the prize money that the tournament would put forward. A statutory one, if you like, minus any financial additions generated by the media/broadcasting rights etc.
Then have a second prize pot that includes the top-ups from sponsors and all the media/broadcasters that pay for the rights and hugely increase the prize pot, on the proviso that they get their pound of flesh after completed matches.
Players can then state at the start of each tournament which prize pool they will be playing towards.
One will include media duties to be undertaken and the other wont. One prize pool will be greater than the other, naturally.
Players will be able to safeguard their mental health whilst also still earning prize money.
I want to see the best tennis players - not media personalities.
I don't care if the best tennis player in the world is so shy they throw up if asked to speak publicly. That's the person I want to see play!3 -
Yes, and admittedly I have been assuming that she had not made any attempts to communicate instead of reaching out and being rebuked - if this is not the case then it makes the organisation look much worse.randy andy said:What we don't know is if there were any discussions in the previous weeks. Did she approach them and ask for press conferences to be delayed, or if she could send her coach in her stead if she didn't feel she could handle it at the time. If that happened and the response was just being reminded of her obligations with no hint of compromise, then she may have felt that the nuclear "no press" options was the only option she was left with.
If there were no previous discussions then it wasn't a great move by her and was guaranteed to cause problems.
The reporting gives the impression the first time this came up was after her first match when she refused to speak but that could be misleading.0 -
but she was refusing to carry out media obligations that she agrees to with her participation in the tournament. someone conscious enough of their mental health to refuse to talk to the press would have been conscious of that entering the tournament.LenGlover said:
But she was responding to a threat to kick her out. Someone with mental health problems doesn't need the aggro, in my opinion, so she took the authorities at their word and resolved the issue in her own mind.thenewbie said:
Yes, which is why I am saying neither party handled the initial incident very well. If she had started by saying she struggled with the interviews and asked if there was anything they could do to help then maybe there could have been a discussion.LenGlover said:
They threatened to kick her out of the tournament so she pre-empted them.thenewbie said:
I think there's definitely something that needs to be done. While I am sympathetic to her, I am still very aware that sponsors and organisers etc do have certain expectations and obligations to keep as well and her unilateral decision to just announce she just wasn't going to do questions was a bit heavy handed and perhaps naive.MuttleyCAFC said:I suppose that is for the sport and sponsors to decide rather than you or me, but I am not against them trying to.
They did handle it badly but she didn't give them much to work with in terms of compromise or even discussion.
Instead both of them ended up in the position that it's either play and do all the interviews or don't play at all. Which isn't ideal. No room for compromise.
leave me alone and pay me0 -
Is that an unreasonable position? She turns up, plays the game, the press is just a side show.cafcdave123 said:
but she was refusing to carry out media obligations that she agrees to with her participation in the tournament. someone conscious enough of their mental health to refuse to talk to the press would have been conscious of that entering the tournament.LenGlover said:
But she was responding to a threat to kick her out. Someone with mental health problems doesn't need the aggro, in my opinion, so she took the authorities at their word and resolved the issue in her own mind.thenewbie said:
Yes, which is why I am saying neither party handled the initial incident very well. If she had started by saying she struggled with the interviews and asked if there was anything they could do to help then maybe there could have been a discussion.LenGlover said:
They threatened to kick her out of the tournament so she pre-empted them.thenewbie said:
I think there's definitely something that needs to be done. While I am sympathetic to her, I am still very aware that sponsors and organisers etc do have certain expectations and obligations to keep as well and her unilateral decision to just announce she just wasn't going to do questions was a bit heavy handed and perhaps naive.MuttleyCAFC said:I suppose that is for the sport and sponsors to decide rather than you or me, but I am not against them trying to.
They did handle it badly but she didn't give them much to work with in terms of compromise or even discussion.
Instead both of them ended up in the position that it's either play and do all the interviews or don't play at all. Which isn't ideal. No room for compromise.
leave me alone and pay me2 -
yes it is, sponsors pay a fortune and someone else would have to do it.kentaddick said:
Is that an unreasonable position? She turns up, plays the game, the press is just a side show.cafcdave123 said:
but she was refusing to carry out media obligations that she agrees to with her participation in the tournament. someone conscious enough of their mental health to refuse to talk to the press would have been conscious of that entering the tournament.LenGlover said:
But she was responding to a threat to kick her out. Someone with mental health problems doesn't need the aggro, in my opinion, so she took the authorities at their word and resolved the issue in her own mind.thenewbie said:
Yes, which is why I am saying neither party handled the initial incident very well. If she had started by saying she struggled with the interviews and asked if there was anything they could do to help then maybe there could have been a discussion.LenGlover said:
They threatened to kick her out of the tournament so she pre-empted them.thenewbie said:
I think there's definitely something that needs to be done. While I am sympathetic to her, I am still very aware that sponsors and organisers etc do have certain expectations and obligations to keep as well and her unilateral decision to just announce she just wasn't going to do questions was a bit heavy handed and perhaps naive.MuttleyCAFC said:I suppose that is for the sport and sponsors to decide rather than you or me, but I am not against them trying to.
They did handle it badly but she didn't give them much to work with in terms of compromise or even discussion.
Instead both of them ended up in the position that it's either play and do all the interviews or don't play at all. Which isn't ideal. No room for compromise.
leave me alone and pay me0 -
Isn't press coverage all part to the whole package especially with sponsorship of events and of individual players? I definitely think this is a wake up call for more consideration but without the coverage, there will be less interest, less money etc. What about players who don't like playing in front of a crowd? What about those who don't like playing if it is being televised or recorded? What about players who gain from abuse from the crowd or difficult questions/criticism because it spurs them on? Can politicians opt not to be interviewed? That said, most of them rarely actually answer the questions they are asked!
Maybe we shouldn't comment on here what we think about anyone, including one other, unless it is positive?6 -
I'm just wondering if she was having a bit of an episode of her mental health problem in the lead up to the tournament she might have wanted to pull out but was persuaded by others - eg her coach - to carry on. If you are not feeling right but just get told 'you'll be fine' and yet you really don't feel up to it the only way is to totally back out . Look at other sports players with mental health problems - Ronnie O'Sullivan for example, got to the point in one tournament that he just couldn't face going on and shook Hendry's hand and walked off. He'd got to the point where he didn't care about the consequences (I think a fine) but just had to go. I've got a good idea how he felt but if you haven't then it's easy to be critical.
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I don’t think that’s a fair comparison with R O’S at allArsenetatters said:I'm just wondering if she was having a bit of an episode of her mental health problem in the lead up to the tournament she might have wanted to pull out but was persuaded by others - eg her coach - to carry on. If you are not feeling right but just get told 'you'll be fine' and yet you really don't feel up to it the only way is to totally back out . Look at other sports players with mental health problems - Ronnie O'Sullivan for example, got to the point in one tournament that he just couldn't face going on and shook Hendry's hand and walked off. He'd got to the point where he didn't care about the consequences (I think a fine) but just had to go. I've got a good idea how he felt but if you haven't then it's easy to be critical.0 -
What a stupid commentaddick1956 said:
Seems she is in the wrong business then for a sports star.soapboxsam said:Naomi Osaka is a very successful female tennis player on the court which has made her multi millions every year, from advertising and prize money in the last 3 or 4 years.
She is also an introverted person who suffers with anxiety and depression off the court.
A compromise should have been reached whereby her coach or a good friend could be at the press conference with her.
Total lack of understanding by the Grand slams and French open organisers.12 - Sponsored links:
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If anybody is seriously suggesting that one of the mostly talented players of a sport should be barred from playing that sport because they suffer anxiety during press conferences then a)the media tail is truly wagging the sporting dog, b) your inhumane disregard for the well-being of others is staggering, and c) our priorities as a society are truly fucked up.
I watch elite sport to see elite athletes complete at the highest level. Anything that takes away for the quality of that competition needs to go. If pre-match conferences are damaging to players performance duing to messing with the mental preparation, then it's the conference that needs to end. If the prospect of a post-match conference forces a player to quit the competition, then I'd rather lose the conferences than the players.5 -
I am surprised she has managed to be as successful as she has been in the circumstances then. Many sports stars have had to take a step back or quit sport because they can't deal with the pressures etc. Obviously it affects people individually but am surprised she can deal with the pressure of the sport, particularly an individual sport like tennis with the precision and composure etc needed to win points and the scoring system (with game/break/set and match points etc) but cannot deal with a tv interview.
Before anyone leaps to any incorrect conclusions, I am not making any comment about the veracity or otherwise of her situation/condition, just expressing surprise considering the pressures of the actual game, particularly tennis.3 -
She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...8
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It's how people are affected though. Everyone can be affected differently and by different things. When she's on the court, it's in her own hands and she can win or lose based on her own skill versus that of her opponent, it's instinct and reflex.PrincessFiona said:I am surprised she has managed to be as successful as she has been in the circumstances then. Many sports stars have had to take a step back or quit sport because they can't deal with the pressures etc. Obviously it affects people individually but am surprised she can deal with the pressure of the sport, particularly an individual sport like tennis with the precision and composure etc needed to win points and the scoring system (with game/break/set and match points etc) but cannot deal with a tv interview.
Before anyone leaps to any incorrect conclusions, I am not making any comment about the veracity or otherwise of her situation/condition, just expressing surprise considering the pressures of the actual game, particularly tennis.
When answering questions she has to actually stop and think (albeit very briefly for some of the more inane questions perhaps) and there's the chance what she says will be twisted or edited to mean something else in order to manufacture a story.
Different types of pressure, different ways of coping, different things.2 -
Why do they have to have a press conference straight after the match anyway?
It could wait until the player has had a chance to shower, change and reflect surely.
I’m not even sure what benefit there is for the sponsors anyway.3 -
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiotaddick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...10 -
Sorry I didn’t realise the job of a tennis player was to do press conferences and then participate in a little bit of actual sport for fun afterwards.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...2 -
She signed up to play tennis.addick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...
When she was told she had to take part in press conferences, she resigned from the tournament.
What’s the problem? You seem to be implying that she is trying to have it both ways and that’s not the case at all.2 -
I can see that. But how can you pick and choose what bits of the sport work for you; interviews, crowds, live televising, drug testing etc? Will more sportspersons want to customise their set up? Or those in other spheres. It will be interesting how this evolvesthenewbie said:
It's how people are affected though. Everyone can be affected differently and by different things. When she's on the court, it's in her own hands and she can win or lose based on her own skill versus that of her opponent, it's instinct and reflex.
When answering questions she has to actually stop and think (albeit very briefly for some of the more inane questions perhaps) and there's the chance what she says will be twisted or edited to mean something else in order to manufacture a story.
Different types of pressure, different ways of coping, different things.1 - Sponsored links:
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potential ly better for the players, but would that be enough?iainment said:Why do they have to have a press conference straight after the match anyway?
It could wait until the player has had a chance to shower, change and reflect surely.
I’m not even sure what benefit there is for the sponsors anyway.0 -
Why does it mean anyone questioning this has to be horrible and nasty and would not be sympathetic to a family member, friend or colleague? People leap to illogical conclusions.Bedsaddick said:
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiotaddick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...
This extreme reaction doesn't help the discussion - no wonder some people feel they can't question anything if they are immediately labelled as nasty. So be kind to those suffering but not to those exploring the situation5 -
You are a dinosaur pal. If you think being shy is the same as having depression or severe anxiety then you are more stupid than I originally thought .addick1956 said:
It is not about horribleness or nastiness. Stop being sentimental. She earned 37.5million squids last year largely on advertising promotions yet she is shy after a match and when needing to perform contractual duties she volunteered for.Bedsaddick said:
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiotaddick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...
What you suggest is not the same. Clive Mendonca was a really shy guy. He still went onto a show to after the 1998 play off. Largely because he was the man expected to.
He was my kid's choice to meet for winning the price but he liked even less meeting strangers in such events so Carl Leaburn , 2nd choice stepped in.
It wasn't a problem. What I said was , "Why sign up for interviews when you know you have issues?" I have no sympathy for that . Please read what I said and don't put wrong interpretation on it .
F anything you are the idiot for failing to comprehend plain English. And kindly please don't associate my remarks with others.
Also remember forums are for all views not just yours if put reasonable and are not racist etc.,That’s the last I’m saying on the matter .3 -
It is a comparison and he didn't say it was the same. I appreciate where you are coming from but you aren't helping yourself or your point making such extreme judgements on others. People who feel passionately about a subject would do better taking time to understand others like they want them to understand the issue being discussed; rather than let their 'passion' take over
You are a dinosaur pal. If you think being shy is the same as having depression or severe anxiety then you are more stupid than I originally thought .
It is not about horribleness or nastiness. Stop being sentimental. She earned 37.5million squids last year largely on advertising promotions yet she is shy after a match and when needing to perform contractual duties she volunteered for.
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiot
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen...
What you suggest is not the same. Clive Mendonca was a really shy guy. He still went onto a show to after the 1998 play off. Largely because he was the man expected to.
He was my kid's choice to meet for winning the price but he liked even less meeting strangers in such events so Carl Leaburn , 2nd choice stepped in.
It wasn't a problem. What I said was , "Why sign up for interviews when you know you have issues?" I have no sympathy for that . Please read what I said and don't put wrong interpretation on it .
F anything you are the idiot for failing to comprehend plain English. And kindly please don't associate my remarks with others.
Also remember forums are for all views not just yours if put reasonable and are not racist etc.,That’s the last I’m saying on the matter .2 -
Uh oh.....addick1956 said:
I now realise I am dealing with a person who clearly has no time for anyone's views but his own.Bedsaddick said:
You are a dinosaur pal. If you think being shy is the same as having depression or severe anxiety then you are more stupid than I originally thought .addick1956 said:
It is not about horribleness or nastiness. Stop being sentimental. She earned 37.5million squids last year largely on advertising promotions yet she is shy after a match and when needing to perform contractual duties she volunteered for.Bedsaddick said:
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiotaddick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...
What you suggest is not the same. Clive Mendonca was a really shy guy. He still went onto a show to after the 1998 play off. Largely because he was the man expected to.
He was my kid's choice to meet for winning the price but he liked even less meeting strangers in such events so Carl Leaburn , 2nd choice stepped in.
It wasn't a problem. What I said was , "Why sign up for interviews when you know you have issues?" I have no sympathy for that . Please read what I said and don't put wrong interpretation on it .
F anything you are the idiot for failing to comprehend plain English. And kindly please don't associate my remarks with others.
Also remember forums are for all views not just yours if put reasonable and are not racist etc.,That’s the last I’m saying on the matter .
A forum is " A place or medium where views can exchanged and discussed " .
Sadly you are at the level where your second repost is an insult.
My issue is with sports people and contracts. Dear Jesus, do you really lack such basic understanding.
Plus she took the money , banked it and then cried off.
I don't buy that any more than I accepted another contract reneging money keeping sports person called Taylor was right either.
This tennis player has enough money to get the best mental health care. Personally I think she needs to man up. She had just played a game of tennis in the spot light.
One of daughters had to abort a child for medical reasons. She needed help and believe me answering a fee questions from the press is very minor compared with that. Luckily her firm helped with her counselling in her employment package. So did we.
She now acts as a councillor in house for her firm.
Before you gob of consider what you say.
And I am not your mate so don't address me as thus.
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Because you’re forced to, to play the game you love.addick1956 said:
He wasn't contracted to do so. This woman was. Big difference. Why sign up to something that terrifies you. Sports stars seem to have problems honouring contracts in quite a few cases.KBslittlesis said:I mean even Alex Ferguson managed to dip out of doing post match talks & didn’t get this grief.
But then he was a middle aged white man 🙄
In this instance as soon as she’s flagged up it’s affecting her mental health someone should be thinking about her & not about her sponsors.
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Was she forced to take up these sponsorships? Just play tennis.0
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You’re asking people to consider your views on this when you’re asking someone with mental health issues to ‘man up’ ???addick1956 said:
I now realise I am dealing with a person who clearly has no time for anyone's views but his own.Bedsaddick said:
You are a dinosaur pal. If you think being shy is the same as having depression or severe anxiety then you are more stupid than I originally thought .addick1956 said:
It is not about horribleness or nastiness. Stop being sentimental. She earned 37.5million squids last year largely on advertising promotions yet she is shy after a match and when needing to perform contractual duties she volunteered for.Bedsaddick said:
Thankfully not everyone is as horrible and nasty as you are . Let’s hope none of your family suffer from depression or anxiety because with your attitude, you will put them over edge . Idiotaddick1956 said:
That is the bit that annoys me. It can't be new to her yet she signed up for the dish. Then says sorry folks, I am a shy Mary Helen.Valleysarr said:She should be banned. Not doing her job plus she’s happy to take the money in endorsements / Adverts etc ...
What you suggest is not the same. Clive Mendonca was a really shy guy. He still went onto a show to after the 1998 play off. Largely because he was the man expected to.
He was my kid's choice to meet for winning the price but he liked even less meeting strangers in such events so Carl Leaburn , 2nd choice stepped in.
It wasn't a problem. What I said was , "Why sign up for interviews when you know you have issues?" I have no sympathy for that . Please read what I said and don't put wrong interpretation on it .
F anything you are the idiot for failing to comprehend plain English. And kindly please don't associate my remarks with others.
Also remember forums are for all views not just yours if put reasonable and are not racist etc.,That’s the last I’m saying on the matter .
A forum is " A place or medium where views can exchanged and discussed " .
Sadly you are at the level where your second repost is an insult.
My issue is with sports people and contracts. Dear Jesus, do you really lack such basic understanding.
Plus she took the money , banked it and then cried off.
I don't buy that any more than I accepted another contract reneging money keeping sports person called Taylor was right either.
This tennis player has enough money to get the best mental health care. Personally I think she needs to man up. She had just played a game of tennis in the spot light.
One of daughters had to abort a child for medical reasons. She needed help and believe me answering a fee questions from the press is very minor compared with that. Luckily her firm helped with her counselling in her employment package. So did we.
She now acts as a councillor in house for her firm.
Before you gob of consider what you say.
And I am not your mate so don't address me as thus.
Do you not think you also need to consider what you say before you ‘gob off’??16 -
Nobody is saying she should be banned from playing tennis, just that big tournaments, venues, and prize-funds need to be paid for by somebody, and that generally means fulfilling the contract that you have signed up to (particularly when, if you do not fulfill that contract you are potentially giving yourself a significant competitive advantage over the poor fools who do).Secondarily, it is not unreasonable for any employee to give independent medical confirmation of a medical problem to their employer and expect that employer to make reasonable compromises over time, but as far as I can see, this was not done. People are no better at accurately self-diagnosing damage done to their own mental-health as to their own physical health.I suspect that this would all be a very different scenario if, in good time, she had gone to the tennis authorities with independent medical opinion that real damage was being done to her mental-health.7
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My stars. "She took the money, why isn't she happy" appears to be the equation going round a certain poster's head here, and coupled with a litany of other prehistoric views... don't know why we're all trying to engage, almost8
