French Open: Naomi Osaka in trouble?

Japan’s Naomi Osaka returns to Romanian World No. 63 Patricia Maria Tig during their French Open first round match yesterday. Pic/AP, PTI

Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka was on Sunday threatened with disqualification from the French Open if she persists with her controversial media boycott, officials said.

"We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations, she would be exposing herself to possible further code of conduct infringement consequences," said a statement from the four Grand Slam tournaments after issuing the World No. 2 with a $15,000 fine.

"As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament." Osaka let her racquet do the talking at the French Open on Sunday, resolutely maintaining her media boycott but briefly telling a TV interviewer that her clay court game is "a work in progress".

Mental health issue

Osaka opened the first day of action at Roland Garros with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romanian World No. 63 Patricia Maria Tig. The 23-year-old Japanese star, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, has refused to carry out media obligations at the tournament, claiming news conferences are detrimental to her mental health.

She believes traditional post-match inquests are akin to "kicking people when they're down". On Sunday, Osaka only agreed to take part in a cursory on-court television interview but still faces a fine of up to $20,000 for skipping mandatory news conferences. "For me, playing on clay is a work in progress," said the reigning US and Australian Open champion on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier. "Hopefully, the more I play, the better I will become. It's a beautiful court. I've only played two matches here, one before the roof and one now so hopefully I'll keep it going."

And that was that from a player who has now strung together 15 successive Grand Slam match wins. Osaka, who has never got past the third round in Paris, fired 39 winners but committed 35 unforced errors.

Kvitova escapes

Petra Kvitova, a semi-finalist in 2012 and 2020, saved a match point before seeing off Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. The 11th seeded Czech, a two-time Wimbledon champion, blitzed 43 winners but served up 11 double faults against her 125th-ranked opponent.

Kerber shocked

Three-time major winner Angelique Kerber, the German 26th seed and twice a quarter-finalist in Paris, fell at the first hurdle, losing to Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina 6-2, 6-4. The win was a 14th successive win for the World No. 139 Kalinina across all tournaments.

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