An executive from the French Open defended fining Naomi Osaka $15,000 for declining press interviews during the tournament, according to the Associated Press. The French federation general director, Amelie Oudea-Castera, said that they wrote to the 23-year-old tennis champion before the tournament reminding her of the rules.

Oudea-Castera said they advised Osaka that she would be fined $20,000 per round should she refuse to speak to the press during the tournament. She also said that Osaka, who is ranked the world’s No. 2 women’s tennis player, could face even more consequences, including sanctions.

Osaka announced that she wouldn’t be doing any press during the tournaments at Roland Garros because she suffered from severe anxiety and depression. It was then that French Open executives notified Osaka if she did not do any press, which is mandatory, she would be fined $20,000 per round.

“There is a specific book explaining that. And when you regularly default your obligations without giving specific explanations in particular, you expose yourself to a default or more permanent sanction,” said Oudea-Castera. “We wanted her to know because it was a way to protect her to explain that to her.”

Call us crazy, but Osaka saying she had mental health issues sounds a lot like giving specific explanations in particular to us.

After winning her first round at the tournament, Osaka didn’t speak to the press and was indeed fined $15,000. She was also threatened with suspension or disqualification by all four Grand Slam tournaments if she wouldn’t speak to the press. She decided to drop out of the tournaments after that to focus on her mental health.

Oudea-Castera noted that they only fined Osaka $15,000 instead of the $20,000 they could have fined her for declining press interviews.

“On the $15,000 fine, you noticed we did not want to put that fine at the maximum. On purpose, we only wanted to be at 15, because we wanted to send a message that we wouldn’t go to a default right away. We wanted to have a progressive escalation should she continue not to commit to her obligations,” she said.

The president of the French tennis federation, Gilles Moretto, said at the end of the tournament that they handled the situation with Osaka correctly.

“We did it the right way,” said Moretton.

Osaka received support for her decision to focus on her mental health from fellow athletes and celebrities after her announcement to withdraw. Venus Williams and others commented on her Instagram post to show her support.

“So proud of you. Take care of yourself and see you back winning soon! ❤️❤️❤️.” — Venus Williams

” Good for you.” — Comedian Chelsea Handler

“🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿.” — Usain Bolt

“You do what’s best for you. Period. Sending you so much love. 🤍🙌🏽.” -— Jordan Sparks

” So proud of you🙏🏾.” — Lewis Hamilton

“stay strong❤️.” — Coco Gauff

“We are all with you Queen. Just Be You, that will always be enough.” — Kyrie Irving

It’s a pity that officials from the French Open valued press interviews over Osaka’s mental health and therefore the tournament itself. Oudea-Castera did acknowledge that officials could do better in how they deal with the mental health issues of their players. She also noted that all four Grand Slam tournaments will “take the initiative,” on the subject.