Naomi Osaka after her decision to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open in protest for the shooting of African-American man, Jacob Blake, has opted to play her re-arranged semi-final against Elise Mertens on Friday.
Osaka reconsidered her decision after organisers suspended play for Thursday to show solidarity with athletes from other sports.
NBA playoff games on Wednesday and Thursday were suspended, three Major League Baseball matches, three WNBA fixtures, and five Major League Soccer games also showed solidarity and postponed games after player-led actions in response to the shooting of African-American Blake and the civil unrest that has followed.
Naomi Osaka and Elise Mertens would now have their semi-finals clash on Friday, which is scheduled to be the final day of the event.
“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 says 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.”
Related: NBA: Games postponed after Milwaukee Bucks boycott following Jacob Blake shooting
The Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka had previously written: “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 hands of people is honestly making me sick to my stomach.”
The USTA, ATP Tour, and WTA released a joint statement saying: “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 recognize this moment in time by pausing tournament play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday, August 27.”
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