Hinako Shibuno, the Japanese pro golfer who won the Women's British Open in 2019, talked about her own uncomfortable experience with journalists Tuesday when addressing Naomi Osaka's media boycott saga, which has become a major tennis talking point.
"I'll bet about half the athletes understand how Osaka feels," Shibuno said of Osaka's decision to avoid her French Open media obligations in order to protect her mental health.
"I'm more on her side. But I don't have all the right answers," she said.
Osaka's decision to withdraw from the French Open has sparked a debate on the role of media in sports.
Osaka said before the Grand Slam event she would not participate in post-match press conferences, citing her mental health. After winning her first-round match, Osaka was fined $15,000 by the tournament for missing her media availability.
Then, Osaka decided to withdraw from the French Open, disclosing her ongoing struggle with depression. The world No. 2 was pursuing a fifth Grand Slam title in Paris.
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Like Osaka, Shibuno had to learn to deal with the business aspects of the sport when she quickly became a star.
Shibuno had to get accustomed to being in the spotlight on and off the playing field after she won the Women's British Open as a 20-year-old making her major championship debut in August 2019, becoming Japan's first major winner in 42 years.
She explained that it can be "very painful" to have to answer questions in the midst of a slump and she would rather handle her performance problems on her own, but she also feels like she has a professional obligation to speak to the press.
"It's complicated," she said.
When asked about the impact of the media on her mental health, Shibuno said she approaches sports media with humor.
"I do get curious about how I'm represented in the media, when I find my name. I usually think about how funny (the news headlines) are," she said.
