Naomi Osaka wasn't going to stand for being quizzed about Novak Djokovic after her first-round win over Camila Osorio at the Australian Open.
Defending champion Osaka was ruthless in seeing off the Colombian, who was making her tournament debut, 6-3 6-3 in just over an hour.
The Japanese star was no stranger to headlines in 2021, starting the year by winning the Grand Slam event in Melbourne Park for the second time. However, at the French Open she was fined for refusing to adhere to mandatory media duties after her first-round match - before withdrawing from the event, citing mental health issues.
She then missed Wimbledon as she took an extended break from the sport, but returned in time for the Olympics and the US Open in September, where during her third round defeat to eventual runner-up Leylah Fernandez she received a court violation for hurling her racquet and hitting the ball into the stands.
That prompted her to take another break from tennis, but she has returned in time to target a fifth Grand Slam win in Victoria.
However, Osaka and a host of other stars have essentially been confined to anonymity during the build-up, with the explosive Djokovic visa saga dominating media interest.
And despite her fine form against Osorio, in her post-match press conference reporters were more intent on grilling Osaka, 24, about the controversy over the men's world no 1 than they were her victory.
"I mean, to be completely honest, it didn't really affect me," she insisted.
"I saw that it affected the men's draw a little bit, so you might have to ask a men's player.
"For me, my goal, like even before this whole situation, is to just focus on myself more, what I need to do to become better.
"I wasn't really, like, I guess looking at the news too often."
However, tennis fans have pointed to the irony of Djokovic's attempt to play in Melbourne despite not adhering to the mandate to be vaccinated, given that last year he declined to back Osaka over her refusal to fulfil media duties.
"I understand that press conferences sometimes can be very unpleasant," he told reporters.
"And it’s not something that you enjoy, always, you know, especially if you lose a match or something like this.
"But it is part of the sport and part of your life on the tour. This is something we have to do, otherwise, we will get fined."
