The Japanese tennis star of Haitian origin Naomi Osaka (10th) which had to face in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Tournament, the Belgian Élise Bertens (22nd), decided to withdraw from the tournament in solidarity and to protest against the shots of police on a African-American Jacob Blake (29) father of 6, Sunday August 23 in the town of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

"As a black woman, I feel as though there are much more important matters that require immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis" wrote Naomi on her Twitter account adding "I don't expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing, but if I can conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction."

Her decision comes hours after the Milwaukee Bucks basketball players boycotted their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The NBA has postponed two other meetings scheduled in Houston (Oklahoma City) and Los Angeles (Lakers-Portland), the players having decided on a boycott. In baseball 3 games have been postponed. In soccer every matchs except one has also been postponed as a sign of solidarity and racism protest in the United States.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26055-haiti-tennis-the-haitian-japanese-star-naomi-osaka-visiting-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25487-haiti-tennis-naomi-osaka-proud-of-her-haitian-origins.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-22548-icihaiti-flash-a-haitian-japanese-world-star-of-tennis-visiting-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25476-haiti-flash-the-haitiano-japanese-naomi-osaka-wins-the-us-open-against-serena-william.html

BF/ HaitiLibre