Japan’s Naomi Osaka could be thrown out of the French Open if she continues to boycott post-match news conferences at the tournament, the board of Grand Slam tennis tournaments said on Sunday.

Osaka, who was fined $15,000 for skipping the news conference after her first-round victory at Roland Garros, could also face suspension from other Grand Slam tournaments, the board added.

The four-time Grand Slam champion said earlier this week she would not face the media during the French Open, citing mental health reasons.

“We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations during the tournament, she would be exposing herself to possible further Code of Conduct infringement consequences,” the board of Grand Slam said in a statement.

“As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament... and the trigger of a major offence investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions.”

The board reminded Osaka that “a core element of the Grand Slam regulations is the responsibility of the players to engage with the media, whatever the result of their match”.

It added that “the mental health of players competing in our tournaments and on the Tours is of the utmost importance to the Grand Slams”.

Osaka had a few tough moments but defeated Romanian Patricia Maria Tig 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in her first-round match on Sunday.

Osaka has not made it past the third round at her previous appearances at Roland Garros.

Her media boycott did not include the post-match court-side interview, and asked about how she adapts her game to the surface, Osaka said: “It’s a work in progress. Hopefully the more I play the better I play.”

Kerber falters

Former world No.1 Angelique Kerber’s poor record here continued when the German was knocked out in the first round by Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina. She bowed out 2-6, 4-6.

Two-time Grand Slam champion and 11th seed Petra Kvitova fought back from a set down to move past Greet Minnen with a 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 victory.

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka moved ahead with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Croatian qualifier Ana Konjuh.

Thiem knocked out

Two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem was knocked out by Spanish journeyman Pablo Andujar 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the first major upset here.

Thiem, who reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, had never lost in the opening round at Roland Garros. “I was not struggling at all with my motivation but the game was just not there today,” he said.

Kei Nishikori was given a stern test by Italian Alessandro Giannessi, but he prevailed 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to advance.

Bulgarian 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov was leading 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 0-3 against American Marcos Giron before he was forced to retire with an injury.

Briton Dan Evans lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

Spain’s 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta progressed with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Slovakia’s Norbert Gombos.

Italy’s 27th seed Fabio Fognini eased past local lad Gregoire Barrere 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.

Eleventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut beat qualifier Mario Vilella Martinez 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Reuters