The Perspective Hubris Engulfing the French Open Tennis Tournament, 2021

by Austin Bradley, MBA

This Summer’s French Open Tennis Tournament grossly overestimated its bargaining power as it inconceivably pushed out one of the sports leading talent in this year’s tournament. Naomi Osaka, a professional tennis player, was set to play in this year’s French Open as the no.2 seed. She had previously won four Grand Slam titles and was a favorite among this year’s entrants. Just as we are preparing for some level of normalcy, as the world slowly begins to open, we’re seemingly staved out of an innocuous time as the tournament “powers that be” decided to fine Osaka, of whom cited mental health concerns, in an ostentatious and sickening display of perceived bargaining power for fleeing post-match speaking engagements hosted by the media – with the threat of harsher punitive  recourse, including higher fines and future tournament exclusion, amid regressive capitulations.

Would this have been the result if it were Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova or another to her likeness deciding to obviate the media for the betterment of her health? Though we could all speculate with relative certainty which way the gavel would fall, it is and will remain only speculation – for now. But even to reluctantly circumvent the perception that she’s receiving unprecedented sanction in part due to her being of Haitian and Japanese descent, the tournament leadership unequivocally failed her in her plight to recovery during her time of need. How does this gross negligence for the wellbeing of others still blatantly occur on the greatest of stages in 2021?  

In this case, it can be attributed to the ignorance and hubris of those in positions of power within the French Open organization. Business School 1O1 dictates that there are external forces that influence the position of a business, service, or event, including the pull of the distributing supplier. It is clear that the tournament “suppliers” leveraged a consequentialists view, as opposed to a more deontological stance, when addressing Osaka. In their view, she was simply a service or seed asset being granted the privilege of participation while they supplied performance distribution – a heavy stick, as it would seem. Having worked as an engineering manager for a few billion-dollar companies, I have seen first-hand how the devaluation of an individual as simply an asset or warm body bodes for the firm’s organizational health – in cases of particularly poor leadership, the associated plants were completely destabilized and shut-down, affecting thousands of lives within the community. To attempt to force her on-board with the media, though she is going through psychological turmoil, is to not have a true sense or concern for her humanity. To put it succinctly, then didn’t give a hoot (or appropriate filler word of your choosing). They were minding the limitations of their perceived bargaining power to deliver on their indubitable agenda. However, it is Osaka and what she brings that has real value. It is Osaka that is in the true position of influence.

During my brief, yet invaluable, time at Harvard Business School as a PSD 2+2 prospect, we had a professor propose a cryptic question to the class.

“You’re the owner of a restaurant and must let go of either the restaurant manager or chef. Who are you dispositioning?”

I, along with a copious number of others, confidently rose my hand ready to divulge my answer. A peer in one of the rows below was called upon and her answer, “you let go of the chef because you need someone to manage the restaurant”. In an immediate reactive effort, the professor emphatically professed, “well then who’s going to make the food!”. And, although met with a pervasive reluctance, we knew that he was right, as he continued the lesson. You do not undervalue what truly matters most to your business. In this case, Osaka is the most valuable player in the tournament’s business model. But more than that, she is an intelligent and powerful woman, she is a well of potential, and she is a symbol of excellence with the power to band together a global community; a community that will fight for her with inexorable tenacity. She, and those alike, hold the positions of power. And you do not fire the chef.  

Ultimately, there are just a few ways that this will unravel. Those fat and happy tournament leaders and organizers will continue upon a path remorselessly prioritizing their immediate bottom-line which will inevitability lead to their long-term destruction. Or this event will serve as a wake-up call – a call that beckons challenge to the status-quo. A call that acknowledges the burning platform and salutes the cold waters of change below. As I pray for Osaka’s appreciating health, I pray that the right conclusions are met as we move forward from this French Open Tournament ordeal.

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