Tennis great hails Naomi Osaka for role in fight for racial equality vanguardnews
pioneer Billie Jean King should hail her quiet successor for her “compassion, strength and leadership.”
The 76-year-old King, so remarkable in her own lifelong fight for women’s equality, recognised a kindred spirit as she told Reuters how she felt the fiercely determined 22-year-old was now following in an honourable sporting tradition.“It has been more than 50 years since athletes like Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and Tommie Smith and the Original 9 of women’s tennis all stood up and used their sport, their voices and their actions to change humanity,” King said via email.
On Twitter, Osaka had grasped that baton with her declaration that “watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of police is honestly making me sick to my stomach.” “Her actions this week were a catalyst for change,” King said. “She is putting people first, being authentic, and she is leading. I love what Naomi and her generation of athletes are doing today.”The stand of Osaka, who eventually won her semifinal Friday but had to drop out of the final with a hamstring injury on Saturday, prompted huge support throughout tennis and far beyond.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from Western & Southern Open final over injuryJapan's Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from Western & Southern Open final due to a left hamstring injury, meaning Victoria takes the title.
Read more »
Osaka out of Western & Southern Open finalJapan’s Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from Saturday’s Western & Southern Open final due to a left hamstring injury, meaning Victoria Azarenka takes the title by wal
Read more »
Injury Forces Osaka To Pull Out Of Western & Southern Open FinalInjury Forces Osaka To Pull Out Of Western & Southern Open Final
Read more »
W&S Open: Osaka to face Azarenka in final
Read more »
Naomi Osaka withdraws from Western & Southern Open final over injuryJapan's Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from Western & Southern Open final due to a left hamstring injury, meaning Victoria takes the title.
Read more »
Osaka out of Western & Southern Open finalJapan’s Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from Saturday’s Western & Southern Open final due to a left hamstring injury, meaning Victoria Azarenka takes the title by wal
Read more »