New York: US Open champion Naomi Osaka who had withdrawn from her semifinal clash versus Elise Mertens at Western and Southern Open in solidarity against racial injustice, has reversed her decision and stated she will play at the request of WTA and USTA.
“As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence,” said the World No.10 Osaka in a statement. “I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent. However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement.”
Previously she posted a statement on social media saying she would not be participating in the upcoming semifinal match in New York. “As a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis,” Osaka continued. “I don’t expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing tennis, but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction.”
On Monday, footage emerged of 29-year-old Jacob Blake being shot several times by police in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha. “Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times in front of his children,” Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said in a press conference. “This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t bad police work. This felt like some sort of vendetta being taken out on a member of our community. The officer’s deadly actions attempted to take a person’s life in broad daylight.”
The protests quickly spread into the world of sport, as teams across the National Basketball Association, Women’s National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball called off upcoming matches. The WTA, along with the ATP Tour and USTA, released a joint statement supporting a pause in play and announcing that all scheduled semifinal matches would be postponed until Friday.
Osaka’s previous decision was also supported by former US Open champion Boris Becker. “When people get killed for the colour of their skin it’s outrageous, it’s bigger than the sport, it’s huge, bigger than I applaud the stance they (athletes) have taken,” Becker said in a zoom meeting with the Reuters.
