あと一つ

大坂なおみが袋叩きにあってしまったそうですが、男女テニス協会が以下のように声明を出していたんですね。As a sport, tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice とはっきりと表明しています。先ほどのスピーチではないですが、こういうのがメインストリームの問題になっていることに日本人が鈍感過ぎるようです。

Statement On Pause in Play Of The Western & Southern Open

Aug 27 2020 Press Release

Play will be suspended Thursday

As a sport, tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States. The USTA, ATP Tour, and WTA have decided to recognise this moment in time by pausing tournament play at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday, August 27. Play will resume on Friday, August 28.

詳しい経緯などは以下のWTAの記事が詳しいです。インタビューが聞き取れなくても記事にコメントが載っていますのでご安心を。

Osaka reflects on 'eye-opening' 48 hours

After advancing to the Western & Southern Open final, Naomi Osaka reflects on her decision to join the athlete-led protests, the impact of her decision, and the future of athlete activism.

By Courtney Nguyen - WTA Insider

Osaka was asked whether her decision to sit out on Thursday was a difficult one. The Western & Southern Open is Osaka's first event since the tour shut down in March and her first tournament since the Australian Open in January. Matches are at a premium as the players race the clock to find their form ahead of the US Open, which begins on Monday.

"It was hard because I felt like I put myself in a really good position," Osaka said. "When I was practicing during quarantine, all I thought of was playing tournaments. So just to be in the semis of a tournament I felt was something that I could really be proud of.

"It was also at the same time easy, because I felt like I needed to raise my voice. If withdrawing from a tournament would cause the most stir, then it's something that I would have to do.

"I don't feel like I'm being brave. I just feel like I'm doing what I should be doing. So honestly, when people say courageous or anything, I don't really resonate that well with it.

"I just feel like this is what I'm supposed to be doing in this moment."

キング夫人も賛同を示してくれているのを見て安心しました。

Billie Jean King @BillieJeanKing

A brave & impactful move by ⁦⁦@naomiosaka⁩, in support of the protest movement moving through the sports world. 

She was to play in the semis tomorrow.

Athletes using platforms for good means so much. 

Don’t remain silent.

#BlackLivesMatter

毅然とした態度を取れる彼女ですが、コービーブライアンについて語っているところを読むとこれまでのshyな面も垣間見れます。

A year on, Kaepernick and Bryant's influence continues with Osaka, who has vowed to use her voice and not "stick to sports". 

"Honestly, I just hope Kobe would be proud of me," Osaka said.

"For me, I always felt like, in a weird way, I wasn't worthy of knowing him personally or having his number if I wanted to be able to text him. I always thought I should achieve more things before that.

"So that's, like, a big regret for me was that I didn't really talk to him as much as I wanted to."