“The shy label has stuck with me,” admits the newly-transformed activist Naomi Osaka
Follow Us
Japan’s Naomi Osaka is a three-time Grand Slam champion. The most recent of these astounding wins came about at the U.S Open 2020. Osaka downed Victoria Azarenka in the final bout to claim a second Major in Flushing Meadows. Further, it was at this tournament where the 23-year-old shed off her cocoon and took a stand for the Black Lives Matter movement.
She wore seven masks on which were inscribed names of people who lost their lives due to the racial injustices in the world. These names were of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
Moreover, the young champ has recently opened up about the tag she acquired around the WTA Tour for being ‘shy.’
Osaka disagrees with the labels that were thrown her way
In an interview with Vogue Magazine, the Former World No.1 said, “That shy label has stuck with me through the ups and downs of my career.”
This is representative of the way her peers have described their encounters with her as well. Through these, it has become well-known that Osaka barely spoke to anyone off-the-court and preferred to stay in isolation.
However, the 23-year-old has shed off the tag she reluctantly disagrees should’ve belonged to her in the first place. Osaka proceeded to deny of the other qualities that are associated with being shy, i.e, timid or inexperienced.
Rather, she added, “But I think people who have watched me grow would say that I navigate situations better.”
Furthermore, she commented on her vocal stance about various issues surrounding equality, be it for women in sports, or for people with dark skin.
“I’m better able to express myself,” she concluded.
Stay Updated!
Chhavi Jindal
(404 Articles Published)