Participating in press is part of the game – Djokovic

Participating in press conferences might be vexatious, but it is an integral part of the game said world number one Novak Djokovic as the debate continued to be the rage on Friday as Naomi Osaka’s decision to snub the press conferences during the ongoing Roland Garros.

Osaka, who’s the world number two had dazed the tennis world with her decision of boycotting the press conferences during the French Open to protect her mental health which prompted criticism from the French Tennis Federation President Gillies Moretton. Novak said that Osaka “probably (had) her reasons why” but fell short of endorsing the four-time world grand slam champion’s move.

On Friday, after he defeated Federico Coria by 6-1, 6-0 to reach the Belgrade open semi-finals open on Friday, Djokovic addressed the reporters, he stated that sometimes the press-meets can be vexatious.

Also, it is not something which we enjoy all the time and you know how difficult it is to face the press when you are defeated. But, it is part of our game and also part of our life. This is something we got to do, else you know what the consequences are. At least, this set of rules have to be followed by men, I don’t know how it works for the women side, he said.

As per the rules set by the Grand Slam, a participant must do a press conference within 30-minutes after the game is over. Else, he/she is subjected to pay a fine of $20,000, unless and until he or she is physically injured.

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