Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 by the French Open tournament referee for skipping the post-match news conference after her first-round victory at French Open. Osaka can face stiffer punishment, including default from the Grand Slam tournament if she continues to avoid media appearances.

The President of the French tennis federation, Gilles Moretton, and three other heads of Grand Slam tournaments said they had reached out to Osaka after she previously said she would not participate in her media obligations and reminded her of the consequences laid out in the 2021 rulebook she should opt-out.

The statement said that “repeat violations would lead into tougher penalties including default from the tournament (Code of Conduct article III T.) and a major offense investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions (Code of Conduct article IV A.3.).”

• Raymond Jumps 4% on Ex-BEL Chief’s Defence Appointment
• Supriya Lifescience Falls 12% on NDPS Act Proceedings
• Radico Hits Record High as Magic Moments Sales Soar 43%
• GK Energy Rallies on Rs 235.92 Crore Solar Pump Order
• Cupid Hits Fresh 52-Week High on Rs 128 Crore Block Deal

The organizations called the meeting of players with media members “a core element of the Grand Slam regulations” and an important piece for the growth of the sport. The statement also said Osaka’s mentioning her mental health leading to the decision to avoiding news conferences and said it was a priority of the Grand Slam tournaments.