PARIS: Rafael Nadal said Friday that without the media "we will not be the athletes that we are today" as Naomi Osaka became increasingly isolated over her decision to boycott all French Open press commitments.
Japanese star Osaka caused a stir at Roland Garros by announcing that she will refuse to carry out any media activity at the tournament, claiming she fears the effect of them on her mental health.
The four-time major winner believes the traditional post-match inquests are akin to "kicking people when they are down".
Nadal, the 13-time French Open champion, said that even though he respected Osaka's decision, media coverage has driven the success of the sport.
"I understand her, but for me without the press, without the people who are writing the news and achievements that we are having around the world probably we will not be the athletes that we are today," said Nadal, a 20-time major winner.
"We won't have the recognition that we have around the world, and we will not be that popular."
Osaka, the world number two, risks fines of up to $20,000 for skipping news conferences at the French Open which starts on Sunday.
The 23-year-old's closest rival and 2019 French Open winner Ashleigh Barty said carrying out media duties is part and parcel of the job.
"We know what we sign up for as professional tennis players," the 25-year-old Australian said.
"I can't really comment on what Naomi is feeling or her decisions she makes. At times press conferences are hard of course but it's also not something that bothers me.
"I've never had problems answering questions. It's not something that's ever fazed me too much.
"And it certainly doesn't keep me up at night what I say and hear or what you guys ask me."
French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton lambasted Osaka.
"It is a phenomenal mistake and it shows to what extent it is necessary to have strong governance," he said Thursday.
"What is happening is not, in my opinion, acceptable. It is tennis we want to promote."
Defending champion Iga Swiatek, who is close to Osaka, said she is happy to speak to the press.
"It's important because not everybody is a professional athlete and not everybody knows what we are dealing with on court. It's good to speak about that," said the Pole who turns 20 on Monday.
However, she also believes it's crucial to have a support system to "separate you from hate or something".
World number two Daniil Medvedev could be forgiven for having a rocky relationship with the media thanks to a French Open record for four matches played, four matches lost.
"I try always to come to press conference bad mood or good mood," said the 25-year-old Russian on Friday.
"And I feel like even sometimes in the bad mood I can be in a better mood after talking to you guys."
'Media made us what we are,' says Nadal as Osaka isolated over boycott
https://arab.news/mfwra
'Media made us what we are,' says Nadal as Osaka isolated over boycott
- Japanese star Osaka said she won’t carry out any media activity at the tournament claiming she fears the effect of them on her mental health
- Nadal said even though he respected Osaka's decision, media coverage has driven the success of the sport
Inter continue Scudetto march after Champions League humbling
- Milan will be favorites to win at Cremonese in Sunday’s early fixture, with the local rivals set to face off next weekend in a match which will in all likelihood have little impact on the destination of the Scudetto
MILAN, Italy: Inter Milan bounced back from Champions League elimination with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Genoa which continued their march toward the Serie A title.
Federico Dimarco’s brilliant volley just after the half-hour mark and Hakan Calhanoglu’s second-half penalty were enough for Inter to extend their already huge lead over AC Milan at the top of the table to 13 points.
Milan will be favorites to win at Cremonese in Sunday’s early fixture, with the local rivals set to face off next weekend in a match which will in all likelihood have little impact on the destination of the Scudetto.
Inter, whose fans unloaded a collection of anti-Milan chants in anticipation of the derby, have dropped just two points in 15 league matches and have been a cut above the rest in Italy’s top flight this season.
Their domestic dominance comes in stark contrast to the humiliating manner in which they were dumped out of the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night.
A 5-2 aggregate defeat to the Norwegian minnows cast doubts over not just the quality of Cristian Chivu’s team but of Italian football as a whole.
There was plenty of quality in Dimarco’s opener however, the Italy full-back beautifully placing a first-time finish from a tight angle after exchanging passes with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Little else happened in a humdrum encounter until Alex Amorim handled a cross from Luis Henrique, whose shot had been tipped onto the post just moments before.
Calhanoglu calmly stroked home the spot-kick on his return to action following niggling muscle problems which have caused him issues since before Christmas, sealing the points for Inter.
Big Rom back
Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in the champions’ 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward’s first goal of the season.
Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to snatch the win for third-placed Napoli with the last kick of the game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Napoli had looked like dropping points in northern Italy when Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro levelled Rasmus Hojlund’s early opener in the 65th minute.
But Lukaku, who only played his first game of the season in late January, gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing.
“I was a dead player before coming here,” said Lukaku to DAZN.
“This season has been difficult, but we’ve got to aim high.”
Napoli’s title defense is all but over as they trail Inter by 14 points after an injury-ravaged season.
Napoli were missing key midfielders Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa on Saturday, as well as captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Verona, under interim coach Paolo Sammarco following the sacking of Paolo Zanetti earlier this month, are 10 points from safety after a 12th straight match without a win.
Como, who face Inter in the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday, strolled to 3-1 victory over strugglers Lecce to continue their push for a first-ever qualification for European football.
Cesc Fabregas’s team are two points behind Roma, in fourth and Juventus’ opponents on Sunday, and five behind Napoli.
Como are also two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe’s elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.
