Naomi Osaka is having an outstanding run at the current US Open after reaching the semifinal even if she has been nursing a tricky hamstring injury.
However, Naomi has been hitting the headlines not only for her great fortnight but also because she is carrying loud and strong the message of the so-called ‘black-lives-matter’ movement. Naomi has been displaying a different face mask in all her matches with the names of the victims of racism.
ESPN organized a rather emotional interview with Naomi Osaka to show some emotional messages of Trayvon Martin’s mother and Ahmaud Arbery’s father whose sons were murdered.
After the vide, Naomi was clearly emotional to say:
“I feel like they’re so strong, I’m not sure what I would be able to do if I was in their position, but I feel like I’m a vessel at this point, in order to spread awareness. It’s not going to dull the pain, but hopefully I can help with anything that they need.”
"I feel like I'm a vessel at this point in order to spread awareness."
Trayvon Martin's mother and Ahmaud Arbery's father thanked Naomi Osaka for representing their sons on the masks she's been wearing throughout the US Open. pic.twitter.com/0IHBU7pvx4
— espnW (@espnW) September 9, 2020
Osaka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Now the world no.9, Naomi has a 14-3 win-loss record in 2020. Naomi is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where she defeated Misaki Doi 6-2 5-7 6-2, Camila Giorgi 6-1 6-2, Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-74 6-2, Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-4 and Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-4.
Naomi Osaka will face Brady in the semifinal. The head to head is 1-1.
The Japanese got to the final in New York.
Naomi won 5 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)