– Breonna Taylor – Elijah McClain – Ahmaud Arbery are just some the names on the masks that Naomi Osaka is wearing to raise awareness for social injustice.
Naomi Osaka has seven masks with names of Black people who were victims of racial injustice, and will wear a new one for each round she plays at the U.S. Open.
Since the tournament started, she has worn masks with the names Breonna Taylor before her first-round match against Misaki Doi, Elijah McClain during her match against Camila Giorgi during the second round and Ahmaud Arbery during her third-round match against Marta Kostyuk.
“None of these deaths had to happen,” Osaka said. “For me, I just want everyone to know the names more.”
The fourth-seeded Osaka has taken a leading role in her sport in advocating for racial justice. She prompted a one-day pause in play at the Western & Southern Open as a way of showing solidarity for the movement.
Osaka was hoping someone else would take the lead in tennis but decided to step up – even though she’s more of a follower – and take a stand that has continued into the U.S. Open.
“For me, just spreading awareness,” she said. “I feel like the more people know the story, then the more interesting or interested they’ll become in it.”
7 masks, 7 names.
If Osaka reaches the final we will see them all. #USOpenpic.twitter.com/jmARabKhae
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020
.@naomiosaka walked out in a Breonna Taylor mask for her night match at Arthur Ashe stadium.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Ubxwst54kl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020
"This did not have to happen, none of these deaths had to happen … I just want everyone to know the names more."@naomiosaka continues to use her platform to spread awareness ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/usyED4fi9m
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2020
.@naomiosaka walked out in a Trayvon Martin mask for her Round 4 match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/KH32L0Ceez
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2020