Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Naomi Osaka has decided to play her semi-final at Western & Southern Open in New York. She had previously said that she would withdraw from the match to protest against racial injustice.

The 22-year-old had to originally play her semi-final on Thursday. However, tournament organisers decided to postpone all the last-four matches to Friday.

“As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence. I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent,” Osaka said in a statement.

“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. I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support.”

Osaka joined similar protests by athletes in the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball Association and Major League Baseball. The protests come following the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin on Sunday.

Osaka will play Belgian Elise Mertens in the final tune-up event ahead of the August 31 to September 13 U.S. Open.

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