US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka’s journey from getting boos in 2018, to spreading a message for equality in 2020
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Osaka 2018 and 2020
Naomi Osaka won her first grand slam in the US Open 2018. She defeated one of the best tennis players of present times- Serena Williams. However, the incident was bittersweet for Osaka as she was in tears while receiving the award.
The crowd did not like Sarena Williams‘s treatment by the referee in the match. The closing ceremony filled with cheers of boos by the home crowd of Williams.
Two years later in 2020, Naomi Osaka is a tennis sensation with 3 grand slam titles to her name. Osaka won her 2nd US Open title after defeating Victoria Azarenka on Saturday.
The 22-year-old appeared for her matches differently than ever. She looked more confident and was vocal with her message for anti-racism. Osaka felt obligated to US Open 2020 as a platform to spread awareness about the racial injustice throughout the world.
“The point is to make people start talking,” Osaka said when asked about her message in the US Open.
Osaka makes her voice heard at US Open 2020
Osaka wore 7 different masks with names of 7 persons who have been discriminated based on Color. She was concerned by the incident of George Floyd in the USA, which had led to protests on racism throughout the world.
She had seven masks in total, and with seven victories, managed to wear them all.
The names are Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile, and Tamir Rice.
Osaka won the final match in 3 sets defeating Victoria Azarenka 1-6,6-3,6-3 in the finals.
“I just thought to myself to be positive, don’t lose 6-1, 6-0, hopefully, give her a slight run for her money. Yeah, I just sort of ran with that line of thinking,” Osaka said.
Also Read: US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka remembers NBA legend Kobe Bryant, wears his jersey at the press conference
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