Naomi Osaka has defended hosting what she called a ‘Black Party’ prior to Roland Garros with some of the sport’s top stars in attendance. Coco Gauff, Gaël Monfils, Taylor Townsend, Christopher Eubanks and Asia Muhammad all attended the dinner, which was hosted by the 29-year-old Japanese star.
Osaka shared a photo on social media of the dinner, and said: “The black party (RG edition) ?????? Side note : my first time ever co hosting a dinner/party and let me tell you, no better company to share time with.” However, the social media post attracted criticism from those online accusing the tennis star of exclusion, with Osaka forced to explain the post.
“Growing up, there weren’t a lot of tennis players I could look up to that looked like me,” she said in response on social media. “Being a minority in a sport like tennis is very isolating but the positive is that you keep tabs on everyone that … being blunt, is black.
“There’s a fellowship, a camaraderie that doesn’t need words to describe. You just feel at peace knowing that there’s another person who has experienced similar things to you and you feel less alone.”
Osaka said the dinner was a celebration of players from underrepresented backgrounds competing on tennis’ biggest stage and said: “There’s a saying, “when you win I feel like I win too” and while that’s true I also feel like seeing any of us exist in this space that is so clearly not for us is a win in itself.
“Our presence is a present and I’m so grateful for the gift of my peers. I want to thank them for existing and thank them for inspiring, I am so proud and I appreciate everyone who came to the dinner (also the ones who couldn’t make it as well).”
Osaka also addressed the criticism in her press conference at the tournament and said: “You know I’m seeing a little bit of- ‘Why can’t you love everyone for all skin tones?’ and ‘what if someone had an all white party?!
“First of all I do love everyone for who they are no matter their race + ethnicity, (I’m literally half Japanese lol). I can only speak from my experiences in my own life though, growing up as a tennis player I didn’t see many people that looked like ME and I feel like it’s important to celebrate them.”