Naomi Osaka Drops Out of Tennis Tournament in Protest of the Jacob Blake Shooting
Tennis star Naomi Osaka, who is the highest-paid female athlete in the world, has withdrawn from the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati to protest police brutality and the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Osaka took to her Twitter and Instagram accounts to explain her reasoning behind dropping out of the tournament, and why we should all be focusing more on the pressing issue of police brutality.
Osaka wrote “before I am an athlete I am a black woman. And 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.”
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 27, 2020
“Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach.”
“When will it ever be enough?”
Osaka has been outspoken about racial injustice and police brutality this year. From attending Black Lives Matter protests to speaking out about her own experience with racism, she has been using her platform to bring awareness and support about these issues.
The Women’s Tennis Association along with the Association of Tennis Professionals and the United States Tennis Association released a statement showing support against social justice and racial inequality by pausing the Western and Southern Open on August 27. They announced that play will resume on August 28.
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Other stars have shown Osaka support in her decision. Including Billie Jean King, Andy Murray, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Lewis Hamilton and Taraji P. Henson. Even Milos Raonic who was another semifinalist scheduled to play at the same tournament spoke out in support of Osaka.
A brave & impactful move by @naomiosaka, in support of the protest movement moving through the sports world.
She was to play in the semis tomorrow.
Athletes using platforms for good means so much.
Don’t remain silent.#BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/Tro3SlRXT8
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 27, 2020
Osaka has yet to announce if she will play in the tournament when it resumes.
