Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
proflie-avatar
Login
exit_to_app
The smouldering of anger in Ladakh
access_time 29 March 2024 4:20 AM GMT
Democracy that banks on the electorate
access_time 28 March 2024 5:34 AM GMT
Lessons to learn from Moscow terror attack
access_time 27 March 2024 6:10 AM GMT
Gaza
access_time 26 March 2024 4:34 AM GMT
The poison is not in words, but inside
access_time 25 March 2024 5:42 AM GMT
DEEP READ
Schools breeding hatred
access_time 14 Sep 2023 10:37 AM GMT
Ukraine
access_time 16 Aug 2023 5:46 AM GMT
Ramadan: Its essence and lessons
access_time 13 March 2024 9:24 AM GMT
When ‘Jai Sree Ram’ becomes a death call
access_time 15 Feb 2024 9:54 AM GMT
exit_to_app
Homechevron_rightSportschevron_rightOsaka pulls out of...

Osaka pulls out of Western & Southern Open semis to protest racial injustice

text_fields
bookmark_border
cancel
camera_alt""

New York: Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from her semi-final clash at the Western & Southern Open to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake and other victims of police brutality.

No.4 seed Osaka on Wednesday defeated No.12 Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory to enter the semifinal where she was slated to face Elise Mertens on Thursday afternoon.

"Hello, as many of you are aware I was scheduled to play my semi-finals match tomorrow," Osaka wrote in a statement on her social media accounts. "However, 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.

"I don't expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing, but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction. Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach. I'm exhausted of having a new hashtag pop up every few days and I'm extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again. When will it ever be enough?" she added.

The National Basketball Association's Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic also boycotted their playoff game on Wednesday afternoon following the shooting of Blake by police in Kenosha, near to Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the ATP, WTA and USTA acknowledged the day's historic events and postponed all play at the tournament until Friday.

"As a sport, tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States. The USTA, ATP Tour, and WTA have decided to recognise this moment in time by pausing tournament play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday, August 27. Play will resume on Friday, August 28."

However, it remains unclear if Osaka will still compete in the tournament, which was originally scheduled to conclude on Friday.

Show Full Article
TAGS:#Tennis#Naomi Osaka#Jacob Blake#Racial injustice
Next Story