Naomi Osaka Defends Decision to Host Dinner for Black Tennis Players

Two of the most successful Black women in women’s tennis, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend, recently held a dinner for Black players in the largely white sport in conjunction with the French Open. While many of those in attendance celebrated the chance to come together in a welcoming space, Osaka has taken to social media to respond to critics.

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While the players involved found the event meaningful, online trolls attacked the event. Osaka responded to criticism in a long social media post. “First of all I do love everyone for who they are no matter their race + ethnicity, (I’m literally half Japanese lol),” Osaka wrote. She noted that “growing up as a tennis player I didn’t see many people that looked like ME and I feel like it’s important to celebrate them.” She also countered the accusation that an all-white tennis event would be condemned. “Secondly I feel like it’s important to note that there have been all white dinners/parties,” she explained. “I don’t know how else to tell you this, I literally seen them all the time and never had an issue with it at all.” She questioned the motives of her critics. “To the people who ask this question I want to ask you this question too, ‘What is it about POC getting together that unsettles you so much?’”

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