Tennis superstar, Naomi Osaka is back to playing tennis again, after she reversed her decision to boycott a major tournament over the Jacob Blake shooting.
Naomi Osaka returned with a solidarity shirt of ‘Black Lives Matter’ as she look to continue her participation in the Western & Southern Open semi-finals match, which was initially scheduled for Thursday.
The star, had released a statement saying: “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.”
After her statement, Osaka says she spoke with reps for the WTA and USTA — and has decided to resume playing,
“As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence,” the tennis superstar, Osaka said in a statement Thursday.
“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.”
Osaka will now face Elise Mertens in the semi-finals.