Osaka joins protest efforts in Los Angeles and online

By Nina PanticPublished June 02, 2020

Naomi Osaka has been coming out of shell for years, but the process has sped up exponentially over the past week. The 22-year-old began by launching an Instagram Live series with pals like Frances Tiafoe, Gael Monfils and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

But then she shifted towards a greater purpose beyond quelling boredom during quarantine.

This. pic.twitter.com/lauBz7Lppa
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 3, 2020

A resident of Los Angeles, Osaka has been joining the protests which were triggered by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Where’s everyone popping out today tho? Let me know https://t.co/MwVHoks3YF
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2020

A certain tactic caught her eye:

Understood. https://t.co/aFdJWr8t7j
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 1, 2020

The two-time Grand Slam champion been holding everyone accountable as well:

It’s funny to me that the people who wanna wear chains, blast hip hop in the gym, attempt to get dapped up, and talk in slang are suddenly quiet right now.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 30, 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

I see people been ghost on twitter for a week when the events first started unfolding, but as soon as the looting started they sure are quick to give us hourly updates on how they’re feeling once again 😃
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 1, 2020

I’m torn between roasting people for only posting the black square this entire week...Or, accepting that they could’ve posted nothing at all so I should deal with this bare minimum bread crumb they have given.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 3, 2020

The tennis community is rallying together with Osaka also joining Frances Tiafoe's #TennisForEquality video efforts alongside Monfils, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens and many more.