It was the television channel ESPN that had arranged a video with greetings to ninth-ranked Naomi Osaka and which was played at a press conference during the US Open.
Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and Marcus Arbery, father of Ahmaud Arbery, spoke directly to the Japanese.
- Thank you for representing Trayvon by wearing a mouth guard with his name on it.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, said mother Sybrina Fulton.
- Thank you for all the support to our family.
God bless you for what you do, Father Marcus Arbery continued.
Osaka commented on the clip immediately afterwards.
- It means a lot.
They are so strong.
I do not know what I would have done in their situation.
It probably will not numb the pain but hopefully I can help with whatever they need.
Osaka won the US Open 2018 after beating Serena Williams in the final.
This year, the semifinals against the American Jennifer Brady await,