Naomi Osaka’s agent calls journalist “bully” after tennis star returns to press conference

Naomi Osaka spoke to the media on Monday and was thrilled when she was answering questions from reporters for the first time in three months. Osaka was talking to reporters in Mason, Ohio, about the Western & Southern Open. Osaka left the French Open in May citing mental health and saying he did not want to attend press conferences.

The press conference asked Osaka about his preparation and how it was discussed he intends to award the prize won in the tournament to Haitian aid. Osaka felt emotional at one point in the press conference, wiped his face and threw his hat down. Osaka took a break after the moderator proposed to take a moment and returned a few minutes later to end the media appearance.

Osaka and Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty took part in an exchange that sparked his great emotions. Daugherty asked Osaka about his relationship with the media. Osaka agent Stuart Duguid later referred to the columnist as a “bully”.

Here is Duguidena statement to CNN:

“The Cincinnati Enquirer bully is exactly why relations between players / media are right now. All this Zoom he will agree that his tone was wrong and that his only purpose was to intimidate. Really horrible behavior. And the argument that Naomi owes the media the success of the courts is a myth – don’t be so indulgent. “

And here is the exchange between Daughtery and Osaka:

Daugherty: “You’re not crazy about contacting us, especially in this format. However, you have a lot of outside interests in being a media platform. I think my question is how do you balance the two? And also if you would like to share with us what Simone Biles said?” (At the press conference, Osaka said he sent a message to Biles, but said he wanted to give her space, “I know how overwhelming it feels”).

Osaka: “When you say I’m not crazy about working with you, what does that reference mean to you?”

Daugherty: “Well, you said you don’t particularly like the format of the press conference, but it seems that’s obviously the most widely used of the media and the media.”

Osaka: “It’s interesting. I’d say the occasion, like when I find it hardest to do press conferences. […] I’m really interested in that point of view. So if you were to repeat that, it would be horrible. “

Daugherty: “The question was, you don’t particularly like dealing with the media, especially in this format. You suggested that there are better ways to do that. We’d like to try to look at that. My question, I think, was the platform presented to you by the media. the question is how do you think you will be able to balance the two best? “

Osaka: “I feel like I can’t talk about this for everyone. I can only talk to myself, but I’ve been very interested in the media since I was younger, and I think it’s because of my background and also how I play. First of all because I’m a tennis player. That’s why I’m interested in a lot of people.

“In that sense, I would say I’m different from a lot of people. I can’t help but think that some things I tweet or some things I say, such as a lot of articles or similar, I know because I’ve won a couple of grand slams and I’ve had to do a lot of press conferences. .

“But I’d say I’m not sure how to balance the two. I’d say I’m guessing who you are at the same time.”

The Western & Southern Open began Monday.