There are two solutions available. Either everybody does press or nobody does press. In a game as psychologically demanding as tennis, there can't be one group of players who get to skip their press requirements, go to their hotel rooms, go do more practice, rest up or do match analysis - whilst their competitors are doing 3 hours of interviews. At this level of athleticism, that's an unfair situation.

If there's no press and there's no sponsorship and there's no requirement to do any of that sort of stuff - then fine. But the money will drain out of the game. I'm fine for that to happen because I'm not a tennis player - but I suspect the entire industry won't want that. I also suspect that Naomi probably doesn't want that. Tennis is her livelihood, there are plenty of sports that would love the profile that Tennis has. Not many people doing Curling are making the same sort of money she makes for her appearances.

So, whilst I have every symapthy with her for her mental health, the press interviews are an integral part of the game and an expectation placed upon all the players equally. If one person is allowed to veto their attendance, they all reserve that right. I don't want her to suffer unnecessarily and so the only available option left to her is not to play.

The communication has been clear. I don't want to do this. You must do this as it's part of your professional life as an athlete, if you do not do this bit you cannot play. Okay I won't play. I don't see the problem that's being presented. And I'd like to see her play, but not at the expense of her mental health, so I'm pleased she's not playing. There are plenty of other tennis players still playing. I hope with an appropriate amount of therapy she can return to the court and do the press thing as well. If she doesn't, then I'm sure she will become a fine coach.

I don't have a problem with people taking a break from their work because of mental health. I think that's likely a good thing - however, we cannot fundamentally alter all the workplace rules around the subjective requirements of everyone's specific needs. That applies to tennis and it applies to almost every other sphere of work.