Naomi Osaka steps away from news conference after exchange with reporter 

At this point I think Osaka should go with the Marshawn Lynch route “ I’m here so I won’t get fined”

It was a simple question?? He wasn’t arguing with her it was just a question. He shouldn’t get ridiculed for doing his job

I didn’t see anything wrong with the question since she’s wanting to respond to it . The question triggered a lot of issues she’s going on and her emotions speak for it . She’s going through a lot and maybe she’a answering that through her emotions . I hope she learns and continues to get better .

A totally legit question. Respect for this reporter. The question was good and his demeanor was gentle. The agent's reaction does more damage to Osaka than good. Playing victim is not going to help her!!

"The Bully at the Cincinnati Enquirer" The guy isn't a bully. He asked a simple question and did nothing wrong accept to do his job. It looks like Naomi Osaka is stressed and just had let loose a little. I hope she gets better.

Bully? Naomi allowed the question and even wanted it repeated. It's clear to me, that her answer of not knowing how to balance it all is what triggered her tears. Hearing it out loud sees to have hit her..reporter did nothing wrong. Best of wishes to Naomi.

Perfectly legitimate question. Why is ESPN calling it a "triggering question." Pathetic.

She’s a young person that is still developing and figuring out how to deal with her anxiety and emotions. I also see she’s very sensitive which is probably why interactions like this with the media often affect her negatively. I feel for her, she’s right to take a step back and do the internal work she needs to, and then come back to media when she’s ready.

She's an introvert on an extreme level. There was no bullying at all.

I honestly don’t think she broke down because of the question I think it accumulation of too much stuff being held in

I felt bad seeing her break down and start crying, but at the exact same time I had no idea what was wrong with the question. I didn’t see any bullying involved and thought it was a valid question 🤷🏾‍♂️. Regardless, I hope Naomi is doing good and I’m rooting for her!

He basically called her out for not liking this type of media format but also uses the media for her benefit. Fair question. It appears she’s highly immature. She needs to get off of social media and stop watching the news. It’s obviously too much for her to handle. But I guess it goes hand in hand with her success.

There was no bully here, she's got more going on.

I just watched this twice looking for the "bully". She's clearly an extreme introvert and still trying to adjust to the media

“Triggering question” Molly has never been needed. First Take doesn’t need a moderator.

There's no bullying here. That's a valid and professional question. The reporter did nothing wrong!

I don't think the reporter was mean at all or was bullying her. Let's be fair! He's basically saying she can and does use this platform to bring attention to other issues outside of her game. Then asked how she balances it. Then she answered and started to cry. I genuinely hope she gets the help she needs.

His question was valid. I think she's just misunderstanding what his question was. She's also clearly ill equipped to deal with the publicity. He WASN'T BULLYING HER

As a fellow introvert, I feel for this girl.

This is social anxiety at it best! I deal with it almost every day…. Sometimes you just gotta get out of there. Anyone who doesn’t deal with anxiety on a daily will never understand. This had nothing to do with the question asked but more so in the platform it was asked. She’s suffering with anxiety/depression its so clear. Look how the media ate up tiger and spit him out. If she doesn’t get treatment and take some real time away she will suffer the same fate.

He wasn’t bullying her. She asked him to repeat the question. I thought it was a very cordial conversation. And she answer the question very well. I don’t think this was on her. Her agent/Manager whoever wrote that statement they are the person in the wrong on this. The guy from Cincinnati inquirer did absolutely nothing wrong. He was absolutely professional the whole entire time.

I can't help but to feel like she struggles with anxiety and fear of saying the wrong thing or being viewed at the bad person in the conversation, I feel for her.

Imagine a man crying over a question like this lmaooo

The reporter didn’t ask a bullying question, she’s dealing with a lot of anxiety right now and you can see it. It’s very evident. She needs to have someone with her at her pressers until she’s ok enough to do these. Praying for her mental stability and healing ❤️‍🩹

That was simply good reporting. He was literally asking her for her view point and how they the media can change to better accommodate her.

She is definitely going through something mentally and personally. I don’t feel like that had anything to do with the reporter. She could have easily skipped over that question but it may have been something that struck a chord with her during her answer that made her break down.

She just earned tens of millions in new endorsements and TV deals. Approximately $100k per tear. Apparently, crying and quitting is the new brave in the woke culture. SMFH

It looks like she has a lot going on in her life. I think the journalist asked a genuine straight forward question. Take care of yourself baby girl. Love and hugs to you❤

I don’t get what the interviewer did wrong ? Sounded like more of a professional question than a slight

Didnt serena get disrespected on a regular. And she still did her job. These kids are soft af

I can tell you one thing, her agent isn’t doing her any favors.

If you can’t understand why they are calling the reporter a bully it is because he basically said with his question that media is now part of her job whether she liked it or not and that’s hard for a kid who basically became the greatest tennis star ever

This girl has issues. The reporter couldn’t have asked a more basic question

A reporter now is considered a bully for asking a reasonable question? She said she was interested in talking about it but couldn't collect her thoughts....he wasn't asking to put her on the spot, but trying to understand her point of view because they have a working relationship...How can things improve if you cannot even talk about it?

Who said her reaction was due to the question? Who said the Agent’s reaction was an accurate depiction of what Naomi was feeling?

The reporter didn’t say anything wrong. Crazy.

Perfectly reasonable question by that guy.

People are mad about this question? The only thing y’all can really hop on for him is because he said “you arent crazy about it” which she might have missunderstood at first if she wasnt listening carefully. But he asked a genuine question, nothing rude

This was heartbreaking to watch 😓

Shower me with praise when I win, I’m going to cry and walk away when someone asks me a hard question. ESPN: “What a hero!” What?

What bully!? He asked a legitimate question based off of what SHE has said. He wasn’t being mean at all and even stated that he asked as to hear more about how they could potentially change things. If your outside interests involve heavy media attention, but you hate press conferences, asking how you plan to balance the two in the future is a legitimate question. This is insane that that reporter is getting attacked for this. I didn’t get the sense that he felt entitled or that she owes her success to the media whatsoever , he just stated a fact and questioned her position. What’s wrong with that?

Everyone isn't built for this celebrity life though it looks good when you're on the outside looking in. Some people just wanna do what they love and that's all. They forget about this part of it that comes with it. God bless her.

I still believe reporters will go after anything for a story: don't fall to them Naomi- you are fantastic

She was homeschooled from the age of nine so she could focus on tennis which means she's not been socialized like she should have. This could explain her inability to deal with personal adversity. Translation, she's been just another athlete who has coddled from an early age because of her natural talent and she expects the world owes her a living without question...

That question was pretty standard, she def has emotional issues if that question was controversial

Literally ask her on the comments she made Her: fighting back tears

This wasn't an exchange and also she didn't say he was a bully either. She just cried, she had a lot going on like most of us in life.

My heart breaks for Naomi because mental illness is real and it effects ppl in different ways. I am a psychology major and I truly believe that Naomi suffers with Agoraphobia which is a condition that makes it hard for ppl to be around a lot of ppl with all eyes on them. Naomi is fine when she is on the tennis court because that is her element and ppl watching her play tennis is fine because she is in a zone. Doing pressers and interviews are difficult for her because of her condition. Prayers for Naomi.

The question seemed innocent enough. She’s just struggling. Two things can both be true at the same time.

She’s just stressed. She actually needed that question.

Wow that statement at the end was incredibly disingenuous, the reporter asked a question borne of plain sight observation, now that qualifies as bullying? That is such an evil thing to say because bullying is very real and a huge problem however, it's always up to the individual on handling it. You cannot eradicate something like bullying anymore than something like hate - they are the same. You only give it power when you let it effect you.

Legit question. First time he asked, his tone was very aggressive. Second time he asked, he took some of the aggression out of his tone, but the damage was done

Don't put the blame on the reporter. He was just doing his job and he went about it very respectfully.

It was a normal question, but I’m sure the question is not what caused that reaction. She’s obviously just stressed out, there is life outside of sports for athletes the same way there is life outside of our jobs for us. That was a professional exchange, nothing wrong with how either of them conducted themselves.

The guy knew she battling mentally yet he preferred to used the word 'crazy' in his sentence. This is pure evil sarcasm. He knew exactly what he was doing

you can tell naomi is just overwhelmed, he was very respectful. Naomi just has been through sooo much this past year and then the olympics as well, burnt out 😔💕 prayers to her n her ppl

She is not cut out for this. This dude asked a legitimate question.

Translation - I like doing interviews when I win. I don't like doing interviews when I lose.

For those of you who don't understand the problem with the question: It's not 1955 any longer. Media members such as this guy who show up to press conferences and ask questions have nothing to do with Naomi Osaka being a popular athlete. She could never do another press conference for the rest of her life and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. She could communicate with the world through her social media accounts, as long as tennis was ok with it, and literally nothing would change. So he is starting from the false premise of "The Media Made You". Then, from that false premise, he's throwing her supposed distaste for it back in her face by asking her how she will balance said distaste with the benefits, basically saying "look at what the media has done for you, shouldn't you show it more respect?" when in fact, she is always so professional and so respectful in her public appearances. Just absolutely ridiculous, and a shameful, shameful line of questioning.

Media member: "What time is it?" Osaka: "crying sound"

Imagine Kyrie Irving doing this.. oh wait he did and he got killed for it. Naomi does it and she gets praise for it 😂

Women and children in Afghanistan are really going through it while she’s crying about a question. We are literally becoming a weak, feminine country.

She becoming a freaking drama queen! My god everything is a bully in this day

I empathize with her anxiety issues. Yet the question was just a basic question that is asking her to reconcile not liking the media with enjoying the benefits that comes with media attention. It's not an aggressive question, it was just not a fluffy charmin soft question. As others have said, this is not bullying. She answered the question well actually by acknowledging she isnt quite sure and is working on it. It's like someone asking how do you stop Michael Jordan while looking up to him, and then having them say "I don't know, I'm working on it."

This chick has anxiety issues and I don’t mean it in a negative way but she really needs help.

I see nothing wrong with the question he asked.....

She's a child. And I don't mean that in a negative way. She's young. Still learning who she is and who she is not. I hope the best for her. P.S none of the reporters questions were triggering. They were both legit question. And I applaud her for attempting to take time to answer.

I honestly think she started crying because of the misunderstanding that people & the media have that Naomi hates the media. I don't think she hates it moreso than she just wants to be able to focus on her game and her life and not have to worry about it. This perception of her is what made her cry, in my opinion.

Me: hey Naomi what did you have for dinner last night? Naomi: (walks away in tears)

THAT WAS A VALID SIMPLE QUESTION YALL GOTTA STOP

This is an enneagram 5 if I have ever seen one. Appreciate her thoughtfulness. Her agent is doing his/her job.

The reporter starts off with “You’re not crazy about dealing with us” and indicates that she has “interests served by her media presence” he is clearly setting a tone with his word choice and making unsubstantiated assumptions that the media is somehow contributing to her success. Naomi is right to clarify that the interest in her is due to her abilities as a tennis player. Furthermore the media is benefiting from Naomi. She has stated that she doesn’t feel comfortable in press conferences but did not convey in any way an animus towards “dealing” with anyone. He basically said I know you are uncomfortable with Us right now so tell Me on national television how uncomfortable you are since you are benefiting from Us. The word choice of a professional who makes his living with words is poor at best and incendiary at its base. If he was half the talent as a reporter that she is as a tennis player then this exchange would have transpired better. I do not believe this was unintentional which is why he rephrased his question when asked to repeat it. The comparisons that I am reading of Naomi’s reaction to that of other athletes are absolutely baseless as Naomi is her own person. She doesn’t owe anyone anything and isn’t trying to be like anyone else. If more people would accept and appreciate that she is such a genuine and honest person, I can’t help but surmise that these media exchanges would better experiences and hopefully carry over to better dialogue with other athletes as well.

She definitely has anxiety, and she tried to be strong and spar with that reporter but she just ended up crying. Similar to a child with stage-fright. Most celebs have been coached out of that but Naomi is not getting any better at it. Poor thing. I hope she eventually is able to handle the media pressure. Asking the media to be 'nicer' to her may never happen

I LOVE OSAKA AS AN ATHLETE, A PERSON, ND A INFLUENCE TO YOUNG GIRLS AROUND THE WORDS, BUT HE DIDNT BULLY HER IN MY OPINION. I THINK THE QUESTION JUST OVERWHELMED HER AT THAT MOMENT

The title of this is catfishing. Suggesting the reporter was mean isn't true at all. Naomi really wanted to answer his question. She's trying so hard to beat this horrible, horrible depression, anxiety that she fights with every day! My heart goes out to her because I deal with it every day. But just like naomi she makes her self get up every morning and work and that is the best medicine! Doing nothing just makes it worst. I am proud of you Naomi because you want to get better, unlike so many people that don't even try.

There wasn't no bullying there.

She was probably dealing with anxiety and keeping it all in. She could’ve also been thinking about a lot of things going on and it wasn’t from the question.

The society is so soft it makes me sick the reporter asked a valid question

She got caught in a moment where the reporter exposed how she likes the media for her social justice rhetoric but when the questions are directed at her, she's not as comfortable.

People also have to understand this girl's cultural background. "East Asians are accustom to read the air "kuuki wo yomu" of the situation through their cultural practices. She said sorry when she won the US open against Serena, she is not only thinking for herself , and for the reporter asking that question made her feel bad about herself . I think it was a subtle approach of guilt-tripping her.

Why didn’t they show the part when smith asked molly if that was bullying??

This is tough. I mean, she's definitely entitled to say yes or no to news conferences but as a social society we need to understand ppl are ppl. She clearly isn't comfortable dealing with questions in the public eye. I don't know how to handle it honestly. Yes, she's getting paid to talk sometimes but she also has some issues that need addressing. I unno.. Praying for her though.

I dont know what really trigger her tears, its ok to say your figuring it out as you go an that you dont have all the answers, i just hope she get comfortable being in the spot light after her matches just saying that as a fan, she's a Great Talent an the pressure that comes with it 👏💯

I have severe ADHD and if the reporter can’t limit a question to two lines, I’m not going to understand.

Honestly the guy was not being a bully and feel maybe she wasn’t ready for the media, I think she should just play and address the media when she is fully ready

How is that reporter a bully he’s doing his job… he wasn’t rude or demanding at all

People have gone insane. The fact that she wasn’t prepared for that kind of question in her first press conference back is insane. You can’t suggest that the entire format for press conferences be different and then not expect people to ask you what format you would prefer. Her agent is way out of line labeling the man a bully for asking an obvious question he failed to prepare her for.

That was not bullying. I'm a huge Naomi fan, but we need to stop coddling people. Yes, she's got a lot on her plate and maybe needs to take an emotional sabbatical, but we all do. That's why we take vacations. Naomi, keep strong.✊🏿💪🏿

I was really enjoying tennis these last few weeks without the Osaka drama. As soon as she appears, here we go again with queen Osaka.

She says she “can’t help what she tweets”. Don’t you have total control over what you tweet?

I don't think its fair to call this man a bully. Hes doing his job asking tough questions and if these millionaires can't handle media and the limelight then find something else to do. Geez but grow up, this is the big time. Media and their platform has given these celebrities and athletes an opportunity to make a lot of money.

She's closer to a bully for putting a name tag on the poor reporter who I assume didn't even mean anything by it..

The question wasnt fuckn aggressive at all

When LeBron does it, he's scorned and scolded When Niomi does it, she's cheered and celebrated Maybe people hate LeBron, idk.

Surprised that people say that's not bullying! 1. Suppose you had an bad accident, would you rather people bring it up to you repeatedly? It's well know that Naomi suffers from all kinds of made-ups by media. 2. Naomi can't swear at the reporter in the conference. So she asked him to repeat the question on purpose just to embarrass him... And you can tell the reporter repeated his questions in a different tone the 2nd time.

Anyone who thinks the reporter was a bully, doesn’t know what a bully is. If anything he was actually very respectful and genuinely curious. It’s a press conference, he did his job. Either have press conferences or don’t.

Who else skipped the Molly intro

She was fine with the question. She thought long and hard, then asked to hear the question again! I think she just had a wake up moment whilst self reflecting for the answer. I love how raw she was, you can see her growing up mid interview. XP Level up

Basically, he was asking her about she balances her "dislike" for the media with her use of it to grow her platform. I don't think he was trying to say, "The media is the reason for all your success off the court." It's a solid question. The reporter even said, "Thank you" after she gave her answer. He wasn't trying to bully her, and he didn't even rebuttle or anything like that.

The only part where he was wrong was in saying “ the media fuels your outside of tennis interests” no she’s a phenomenal tennis player thts why she has influence, same way nobody is buying Jordans if MJ didn’t hoop the way he did