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Naomi Osaka stated she had consulted the WTA and USTA and determined to play the event.© AFP
Japan’s Naomi Osaka reversed her determination to withdraw from the WTA Western & Southern Open semi-finals on Thursday, saying she is going to now play the match that has been rearranged for Friday. The two-time Grand Slam champion stated in an announcement on Wednesday that she had pulled out of her last-four conflict with Belgium’s Elise Mertens in protest on the police capturing of black man Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. However, after WTA and ATP chiefs introduced a suspension of play on the event following anger over Blake’s capturing, Osaka stated she has now modified her thoughts.
“As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence,” Osaka stated in an announcement first reported by Britain’s The Guardian and The New York Times.
“I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent.
“However, after my announcement and prolonged session with the WTA and USTA, I’ve agreed at their request to play on Friday.
“They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement.
“I wish to thank the WTA and the event for his or her assist.”
In her statement on Wednesday, Osaka had said she was not ready to play tennis following the Blake shooting.
“Before I’m an athlete, I’m a black lady. And as a black lady I really feel as if there are far more vital issues at hand that want rapid consideration, fairly than watching me play tennis,” Osaka stated.
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“I do not anticipate something drastic to occur with me not taking part in, but when I can get a dialog began in a majority white sport I contemplate {that a} step in the precise route.”
Her transfer camed after the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their NBA playoff recreation over the capturing, forcing the league to halt Wednesday’s schedule of postseason fixtures.
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