Naomi Osaka Case: Striking A Balance Between Media Obligations & Mental Health Concerns
On 31 May 2021, shortly after winning her first-round match, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open tennis competition at Roland Garros. The withdrawal followed five days of controversy and discussion following Miss Osaka’s announcement on Twitter four days before the start of the French Open that she was “not going to do any press during Roland Garros” on the basis that it would be detrimental to her mental health[1].
This article examines:
- the current contractual obligations on players when taking part in tournaments,
- the tournament organisers obligations to protect players’ mental health, and
- whether a balance can be struck between these two competing interests.
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- Tags: Athlete Welfare | ATP Tour | CVC Capital Partners | French Open | Human Rights | Media Duties | Official Grand Slam Rules 2021 | One Tennis | Private Equity | Regulation | Tennis | Wimbledon
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Written by
Nick Humphreys
Nick is a partner in the London office specialising in both contentious and non-contentious employment work. He has particular expertise in the international aspects of employment law, industrial relations law and in the employment aspects of sport – particularly professional football. He advises on a wide range of HR problems, policies and strategy including the management of large-scale business re-organisations.
William Wilson
William is a solicitor at the Penningtons Manches Cooper London office. He regularly acts on behalf of football managers, agents and players in respect of player transfers and contracts as well as various employment and financial disputes. William has experience in bringing claims in the English Courts as well as through FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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