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https://scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122222/australian-open-naomi-osaka-speaks-out-about-race-and-gender
Sport/ Tennis

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka speaks out about race and gender inequality because she was also ‘misunderstood’, says coach

  • The Japanese, favoured to win a fourth grand slam title this weekend, condemned anti-Asian blame for Covid-19 and former Tokyo 2020 head’s sexist comments
  • ‘Whatever she tweets, posts or says in interviews – she’s saying it from her heart’ says fitness trainer Nakamura
Naomi Osaka is not afraid to speak her mind. Photo: EPA

Naomi Osaka does not shy away from issues of racial and gender inequality. Where others may feel uncomfortable, the Japanese-Haitian tennis star has already had several ‘enough is enough’ moments and is absolutely within her rights, her coach said.

In February, the Osaka-born 23-year-old expressed her disgust at the “hate, racism and blame” for the Covid-19 pandemic towards Asians around the world. In the same social media post, she lamented the “pathetic Ching Chong and shrimp fried rice” stereotypes often seen in comments sections.

Just last week, Osaka strongly condemned then-Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games organising committee president Yoshiro Mori’s “ignorant” and “uninformed” comments about women board members talking for too long in meetings. Mori’s eventual resignation felt inevitable, but it does not make standing against a top-level official as one of the faces of the country’s Games any easier.

Osaka, who seeks her fourth grand slam title when she plays American Jennifer Brady at the Australian Open on Saturday, has throughout the past year also spoken extensively about her support for the Black Lives Matter movement in both Asia and North America.

Naomi Osaka makes a statement wearing face masks to honour Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice at the 2020 US Open. Photo: Reuters
Naomi Osaka makes a statement wearing face masks to honour Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice at the 2020 US Open. Photo: Reuters

The former world number one doubled down despite criticism to “stay in her lane”, saying the death of George Floyd had a “big impact” on her and that “being silent is never the answer”. It culminated in a dream US Open win last September where she proudly wore face masks donning the names of seven different victims of racial injustice in the country – one for each round.

“What she’s gone through as a Japanese, Asian, woman, black, mix-raced as well, she was misunderstood in so many different ways growing up. People judged – ‘are you Japanese, Asian, black, American, Asian-American?’ – and wanted to categorise or label what she is. I think she was a little confused herself, like, ‘Who am I?’ ” said Osaka’s performance coach Yutaka Nakamura from his hotel during the Australian Open.

“She wants to use her tennis platform and now she has a voice. Not to tell people what to do, or what’s right or wrong, but to share her thoughts from her experiences. You can take it or leave it.”

Perhaps most telling is that Nakamura – in charge of Osaka’s day-to-day strength and conditioning – appeared very confident that his protégé has struck the right balance between athletics and advocacy and is unafraid of any consequences, if any.

“She has a lot [on her plate] but she’s a unique and creative person. She is who she is. Me and the team around her let her speak freely,” said Tokyo-born 48-year-old Nakamura, who joined Team Osaka last July.

Yutaka Nakamura trains with Naomi Osaka during the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: Australian Open
Yutaka Nakamura trains with Naomi Osaka during the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: Australian Open

“Obviously, when she has us around we’ll give her a bit of advice, but she’s a very smart girl. She doesn’t have to satisfy or make people happy by saying something. She’s saying it from her heart, saying it because that’s what she believes is right.

“Whatever she tweets, posts or says in interviews – that’s her voice. She’s very real and very caring.”

While Osaka is favoured to win her second Australian Open title in Melbourne on Saturday, fans from Japan, Haiti and the US will hopefully be congregating ahead of the much-anticipated Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Whatever she considers herself in race, gender or creed, Osaka’s homecoming promises to be a history-making one.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of tennis players, but dealing with Naomi Osaka was – when I look back in the future – one of my greatest accomplishments. In terms of tennis and sports for Asians and Japanese, Osaka is very special. We’re kind of chasing the dream together and I’m proud of that,” said Nakamura, Maria Sharapova’s former fitness guru.