Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka’s powerful Black Lives Matter message, slams trolls

Tennis star and two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will not be silenced amid the protests following George Floyd’s death.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka has hit back against trolls.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is talking the talk and walking the walk with her vocal support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The 22-year-old two-time Grand Slam champion and highest paid sportswoman in the world has been very active on social media since George Floyd’s death sparked protests around the world.

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Osaka has been sharing protest details and videos, but has had some followers hit back telling her to “stick to tennis” among other things.

But Osaka will not be silenced, protesting in Minneapolis and attending other Black Lives Matters protests in Los Angeles.

Osaka has Japanese and Haitian parents but grew up and lives in the US.

She told Reuters via email that she won’t be quiet against something she believes so strongly about, arguing that athletes can have more influential voices than politicians in these matters.

“I’m vocal because I believe in the movement and want to try to use my platform to facilitate change,” Osaka told Reuters.

“George Floyd’s murder and the situation generally in America has had a big impact on me. Being silent is never the answer. Everyone should have a voice in the matter and use it.”

Naomi Osaka has been outspoken after George Floyd’s death.

Osaka said that the world has changed since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked a worldwide conversation by kneeling during the 2016 and ultimately being exiled from the league since.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell even apologised for not listening to players in the past.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr even said Kaepernick “would ultimately be considered a hero” for his actions.

“Colin has been putting this message out since 2016. It took a pandemic, an economic crisis and a torturous murder on camera, all at the same time, for people to really hear him,” Osaka said.

“It shouldn’t have been that way. If the NFL wants to show that they really care the first thing they should so is take a knee together and give Colin his job back.

“That some people have said we as athletes should stick to sports is really insulting.”

Kaepernick sparked a movement.

As for the trolling from “fans”, Osaka has hit back strongly with several trolls even deleting their tweets.

I hate when random people say athletes shouldn’t get involved with politics and just entertain. Firstly, this is a human rights issue. Secondly, what gives you more right to speak than me? By that logic if you work at IKEA you are only allowed to talk about the “GRÖNLID” 🤷🏽‍♀️?

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 4, 2020

https://t.co/wjDKUStuBO pic.twitter.com/w5WV4YTYFY

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 7, 2020

NANIIIIII?! https://t.co/0sbRGiCF40 pic.twitter.com/mk6BPx0Tyz

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 6, 2020

My condolences to you. I know it must be hard to be illiterate 😔🙏🏾 https://t.co/0zJlV5U9XZ

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 2, 2020

When you tweet about the lootings before you tweet about the death of an unarmed black man 🤡🤡🤡🤡

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 1, 2020

Osaka hit out at the trolls but said she was delighted that so many people were getting behind the protests around the world, including in Japan, the nation she represents

“I probably shouldn’t read all the trolling but it’s hard to avoid,” said Osaka, who has over a million followers on Instagram and more than half a million on Twitter.

“Using humour is definitely one mechanism to expose these people … Calling them out for their ignorance and racism is also worthwhile sometimes. I’m more sad for them than myself – to be so hateful and ignorant can’t be an easy way to live life.”

— with Reuters