Mental Health

[RANT]
As a social worker I am more aware of the lack of respect and understanding for people coping with mental health. It seems that if you have a physical illness everyone is on your side but if you are suffering from mental illness or a physical disability that no one can see then nobody understands.

Osaka fined $15K for skipping French Open media; Thiem out
AP
By John Leicester and Andrew Dampf
May 31, 2021


PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 when she skipped the news conference after her first-round victory at the French Open on Sunday — and drew a stunning warning from all four Grand Slam tournaments that she could face stiffer penalties, including disqualification or even suspension, if she continues to avoid the media.
[…]
She framed the matter as a mental health issue, saying that it can create self-doubt to have to answer questions after a loss.

Tell me if she had a physical illness do you think that they would force her to attend a press conference?
Citing the rule book, the statement noted that “tougher sanctions” from “repeat violations” could include being defaulted from the tournament and “the trigger of a major offense investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions.”
So the tennis association is more interested in their press conferences than the mental health of their players.

The next question is why are they so adamant about the press conference?

Why Is It Compulsory for Tennis Players to Do a Press Conference at Every Tournament?
Essentially Sports
By Anshul Singh
May 29, 2021


Ever since World No.2 Naomi Osaka decided to boycott the media at the French Open 2021 citing mental health as a reason, there has been endless discourse in the tennis world about press conferences. There is now a debate going on about whether it is compulsory for tennis players to do a press conference after every match of a tournament or not.

From players to different tennis governing bodies like the WTA and FFT, all have criticized Naomi Osaka for her boycott. Many have stated that avoiding press conferences is no solution for improving mental health.

STOP RIGHT THERE!

“Many have stated that avoiding press conferences is no solution for improving mental health.” What bigotry against mental health can you imagine them same players saying that about Tiger Woods not playing golf because he broke his leg?

It seems to me that the only reason why there are press conferences is to promote the sports, it is not a good enough reason to cause mental pain of the players.
[/RANT]