WTA says would welcome dialogue with Osaka over press conference boycott

LONDON - The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said it would welcome dialogue with world number two Naomi Osaka over her decision to boycott press conferences at this year's French Open.

Japanese player Osaka, who said the nature of questions can impact on players' mental wellbeing, has received some support from several athletes but was slammed by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) for her stance. Some of her rivals also questioned her decision ahead of the start of the Roland Garros tournament with 2019 champion Ash Barty saying press conferences are "part of the job".