2021-06-02 13:49:01

Does Tennis Care About Players? Naomi Osaka Quits French Open After Mental Health Plea Ignored

Athletes around the globe are voicing support for tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the French Open after being fined and threatened with disqualification for declining to take part in press conferences due to their effect on her mental health. Prominent athletes, from Stephen Curry to Serena Williams, have come forward to support 23-year-old Osaka, who is a four-time Grand Slam tournament winner.

The escalating fines and criticism Osaka faced from tennis officials were “a disproportionate response” to her actions, says Amira Rose Davis, an assistant professor of history and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Penn State and co-host of the sports podcast Burn It All Down. She adds that Black women athletes are often subjected to insensitive questioning from the media that can perpetuate racist and sexist narratives. “The media is overwhelmingly white, overwhelmingly older, overwhelmingly male,” Davis says.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. lOur reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Amira Rose Davids Amy Goodman ATP Democracy Now! Depression Free Speech TV French Open Grand Slam Tournament Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Naomi Osaka Penn State Tennis

Human Rights and Equality

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Supreme Court Reviews Trans Youth Care Ban A Landmark Case

Democracy Now! | Supreme Court Reviews Trans Youth Care Ban A Landmark Case

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | Black and Brown Women: The Ignored Voices in Abortion Rights

This Week In White Supremacy | Black and Brown Women: The Ignored Voices in Abortion Rights

Rising Up With Sonali

Rising Up With Sonali | Rethinking Reproductive Justice: Beyond Abortion Bans

Rising Up With Sonali | Rethinking Reproductive Justice: Beyond Abortion Bans

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | The Killings of Climate Activists Worldwide

Democracy Now! | The Killings of Climate Activists Worldwide

Related

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | Does the Left Needs its own Media Ecosystem?

The Thom Hartmann Program | Does the Left Needs its own Media Ecosystem?

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | American Society Used to Benefit from the Wealthy

The Thom Hartmann Program | American Society Used to Benefit from the Wealthy

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | The Fallout of the Washington Post's (lack of) Endorsement

The Rick Smith Show | The Fallout of the Washington Post's (lack of) Endorsement

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Proud Partners