Naomi Osaka leaves press conference after question about relationship with media

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka exited a press conference Monday after being questioned about her relationship with the media, NBC News reported.

During a press event at the Western & Southern Open on Monday, a Cincinnati Enquirer journalist asked Osaka about how she balances dealing with the media and using her platform to promote her outside interests. The reporter opened the question by saying “you’re not crazy about dealing with us.”

The moderator initially sought to move on, according to NBC, but Osaka said she wanted to explore the question. 

“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. And I know that it’s because I’ve won a couple Grand Slams and I’ve gotten to do a lot of press conferences that these things happen,” Osaka answered.

“But I would also say like, I, I’m not really sure how to balance it. I’m figuring it out at the same time as you are, I would say,” she said.

Osaka walked away from the briefing a short time later after another reporter asked a question about tennis. Osaka, whose father is Haitian, was also asked about the devastating earthquake in that country.   

Naomi Osaka bursts into tears and exits podium while addressing how she has felt since withdrawing from French Open. pic.twitter.com/xBn8XRF8FB

— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) August 16, 2021

Osaka began to wipe away tears while others asked questions, ultimately leaving the podium during the break, NBC News reported.

Monday’s presser was Osaka’s first since she dropped out of the French Open in May, citing mental health problems.

Beryl Love, executive editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, told NBC News that their reporter asked a “straightforward” question to the 23-year-old tennis star, adding that they do feel regret if the question upset her.

“We appreciate the respectful dialogue with Ms. Osaka at the press conference. It was a straightforward question that we feel led to a meaningful exchange. That said, we sincerely regret that our questioning upset her in any way,” Love told NBC News. 

Osaka, a four-time grand slam champion, made headlines earlier this year for taking time away from the sport to focus on her mental health. 

Osaka, who has used her platform to raise awareness on social injustice and police reform in the U.S., also shared that she will donate her prize winnings from the tournament to help with the relief efforts in Haiti.