Naomi Osaka thanked her ancestors after he spectacular US Open win.
“I would like to thank my ancestors because everytime I remember their blood runs through my veins I am reminded that I cannot lose,” Osaka tweeted on Sunday.
Osaka’s mother is Japanese and her father is Haitian.
Osaka landed her second US Open and third Grand Slam title.
The tennis champion has made headlines throughout the tournament, taking time to honor the lives of several Black men and women who have lost their lives to police violence and racially motivated attacks.
“I think tennis, people watch it all around the world and things that we think are common names are probably not common overseas,” she said during a post-match interview. “For me I just want people to have more knowledge. I feel like the platform that I have right now is something that I used to take for granted and I just feel like I should be using it for something.”
Last week she became visibly emotional after receiving video messages from the parents of Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery, two of the Black victims killed in incidents of racial injustice.
“It means a lot,” Osaka said. “They’re so strong. I’m not sure what I would be able to do if I was in their position. I feel like I’m a vessel at this point in order to spread awareness and it’s not going to dull the pain, but hopefully, I can help with anything that they need.”
