As the French Open season takes over Paris, Naomi Osaka found herself at the center of online conversation after hosting a private dinner celebrating Black players in tennis alongside fellow athlete Taylor Townsend.
The event, formally titled The Black Party (Roland Garros “RG” Edition), was held at Soho House Paris in partnership with CCG Social during one of the busiest weeks in international tennis. According to details shared online, the dinner was designed to create space for Black athletes and figures connected to tennis to build community and celebrate representation within a sport that has historically had limited Black visibility at the highest levels.
The guest list included several familiar faces from the tennis world, including Gael Monfils, Coco Gauff, Chris Eubanks, and Asia Muhammad.
Photos and clips from the gathering quickly spread across social media, where reactions became divided. While many praised the event as a meaningful celebration of culture and community, others criticized the dinner for being centered specifically around Black players, leading to accusations and heated debates online about inclusion and representation in sports spaces.
As the conversation intensified, Osaka addressed the criticism directly in a lengthy statement shared online. “I love everyone for who they are, regardless of race or ethnicity,” she wrote, adding, “I’m half Japanese, lol.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion explained that her perspective came from her own experiences growing up in tennis. “I can only speak from my own experience, but growing up in tennis, I didn’t see many people who looked like me,” Osaka shared. “And I think it’s important to spotlight and celebrate them.”
She also pointed out that similar private events already exist within other circles of the sport without drawing the same level of controversy. “It should also be noted that there already exist dinners or events reserved for white people. So I don’t see why this would be a problem. I’ve always seen them without controversy, and it never bothered me,” she wrote.
Osaka continued by asking critics to reflect on why gatherings centered around people of color create discomfort for some observers. “What makes you uncomfortable about people of color getting together?” she asked.
The tennis star also opened up about personal experiences that shaped her views on representation and identity, referencing moments from her childhood when she watched her father deal with discrimination at tennis courts. According to Osaka, there were instances where police had to be called during those experiences.
“There are many things in my life I will apologize for, but not for celebrating being Black and being proud of who we are,” she wrote. “I feel sorry for those who don’t understand that this is not about exclusion, but a way to celebrate how far we’ve come.”
The conversation surrounding the dinner continues online as fans, athletes, and commentators weigh in on Osaka’s comments and the larger discussion around race, representation, and community within professional sports.
