Are interviews required for all players?

[Duncan Donuts]

I just listened to Naomi Osaka's press conference after the AO Final. My goodness, there were some stupid questions to be had. Many trying to get her to say something that would be considered an attack on Serena for their puff piece, clickbait, "news" organization.

Its sad if she is obligated to put up with such loaded questions from press journalists.

So my question: Do these players have to do the on court interviews/press conferences/video messages on facebook to the fans? Is it in their contract? What if they refuse?

What if you are a transcendent talent who refuses to do any interviews or press conferences? Do you get suspended? I mean would the ATP/WTA take it that far?


Tennis is not the only sport I take issue with. the NBA is turning into a clownshow with interviews during the game, half time interviews and so on.

Is it required? If so, why arent more players skipping them?

 

[apriliano]

Because

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's required after every match and players are fined if they skip a presser after a match. But the amount is trifling, Venus was only fined $5,000 when she's ducked press conferences. Remember when Djoker had a truncated presser after his loss at the 2018 FO? He wasn't fined because he did have a brief press conference and then abruptly left.

 

[ak24alive]

I don't like the idea of press conferences after every match.
I mean why does Fedalovic need to answer **** after their first round routine match.
It's stupid.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Part of your agreement when playing the event and taking the prize money is that you will be available for media when requested

Dont like it? Dont take the check

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I don't like the idea of press conferences after every match.
I mean why does Fedalovic need to answer **** after their first round routine match.
It's stupid.

I agree 114%.

Should just have a firework display instead.

 

[Max G.]

For the ATP, I found the following rules. Don't know what they are for the WTA but I bet they're also there.

1. All players scheduled to play on televised courts will be required, if requested, to perform a pre-match TV interview on the day of the match (not to exceed 2 minutes in total). The interview may be conducted at either the player’s practice court or as the players approach the court for walk- on as determined by the host and player’s national broadcasters.
   
2. All players who win during a televised match will be required to perform on court TV interviews, if requested, with the host and player’s national broadcaster(s) for that match (not to exceed 5 minutes in total).
3. All players will be required to perform post-match radio and TV news service interviews directly following the post-match press conference (not to exceed 10 minutes in total). If there is no post-match press conference, the interviews will need to take place within 30 minutes of the conclusion of their match.
4. Unless injured and physically unable to appear, a player or team must be available post-match in the mixed zone or media conference area, as determined by ATP, after the conclusion of each match whether the player or team was the winner or loser. Post-match media obligations include two (2) interviews, with the host and player’s national broadcasters. This rule shall also apply to matches won or lost as a result of a withdrawal or retirement.
5. Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine in accordance with the following schedule: (schedule omitted from quote - it goes up based on player's most recent ranking, up to 20k for top 10). Fine double for each repeat offense.
6. All players will be required, if requested, to take part in media availability prior to their first match at each tournament.
   

And there's even more. There's "ATP STARS" promotional activities, "Champions Media Tour" (everyone who wins a GS or WTF must participate in an additional multi-day media tour) and attend "Special Functions" e.g. awards shows and such. It goes on.

 

[tacou]

Seems like if a player wanted they could get by the on court stuff then decline to answer questions for 2 min.

Grand Slam pressers often go 8-15 mimutes, I wonder how aware players are of those rules.

 

[THE MAN]

 

[Harry_Wild]

I think that many players after loosing do not wish to be interviewed!

 

[Duncan Donuts]

I can’t be the only one who would rather sock Jim Courier in the face than answer his questions....,

 

[Mustard]

Lleyton Hewitt skipped a few in 2003, and got a heavy fine from the ATP. Hewitt then sued the ATP, and said that he was thinking of quitting tennis and going into Aussie Rules Football.

 

[wangs78]

The problem is not the requirement to do these interviews. The problem is the press who asks dumb / bad / loaded questions meant to stir the pot and generate “clicks”. As much as having a free press is hugely important, it is also important to have responsible and credible journalism and in the age of the internet and social media, there is too much amateurish at best and misleading at worst journalism and it’s a very unfortunate thing.

 

[gosto44]

Some say that these post-match interviews are just a part of the game. But I don't think they always have been.
What year did they start requiring the players attend these posts match interviews?