The organizers of the Cincinnati tennis tournament announced Wednesday night that Thursday's scheduled matches will finally be played on Friday, wishing to take a break to protest police fire on African-American Jacob Blake.
“As a sport, tennis collectively takes a stand against the racial inequality and social injustice that has once again been brought to the fore in the United States. The American Tennis Federation USTA, the ATP and WTA Tours have decided to recognize this moment by suspending play on Thursday, August 27. It will resume on Friday, August 28, ”the statement said.
The unprecedented move follows a first earthquake earlier Wednesday, when Naomi Osaka of Japan, who had just qualified for the semi-finals, announced her withdrawal from the women's draw. “As a black woman, I feel like there are much more important issues that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis,” Naomi Osaka, born to mother, said in a statement. Japanese and Haitian father, and who has often spoken in recent months to denounce racial injustice.
"A step in the right direction"
"I don't expect anything drastic to happen if I don't play, but if I can strike up a discussion in a predominantly white sport, I consider it a step in the right direction," he said. she added.
Naomi Osaka, winner of the US Open 2018 and the Australian Open 2019, had to face the Belgian Elise Mertens for a place in the final in the bubble of Flushing Meadows where the tournament is located. The postponement of matches from Thursday to Friday does not say whether this is likely to reinstate her in the tournament, if such is her wish. Asked by AFP, the USTA had not given an immediate response.
The 10th player in the world announced her decision hours after the Milwaukee Bucks basketball boycott of their play-off match against the Orlando Magic.
This initiative forced the NBA to postpone two other meetings also scheduled for Wednesday, Houston-Oklahoma City and Los Angeles Lakers-Portland, the players of these teams having also opted for a boycott.
Teams from other sports leagues have followed the Bucks' footsteps. In baseball (MLB), three games were postponed, and in football (MLS) all but one game were also postponed.
- Cincinnati
- Police violence
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