Naomi Osaka's decision to boycott press conferences at Roland Garros was blasted as a "phenomenal error" by the head of French tennis on Thursday who said the Japanese star's move was "unacceptable". World number two Osaka said she will not take part in any media duties at the French Open which starts on Sunday. The 23-year-old said she was concerned by the effect of news conferences on her mental health which she likened to "kicking a person while they're down". However, French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton lambasted Osaka, a four-time major winner. 

"It is a phenomenal error and it shows to what extent it is necessary to have strong governance," he said. "What is happening is not, in my opinion, acceptable. It is tennis we want to promote." Osaka will likely be fined up to USD 20,000 for every news conference she skips. However, that will cause little financial impact -- in 2020, she made USD 37 million, more than any other female athlete. Osaka said she will donate any fines to mental health charities. "I have often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," Osaka said on Twitter.