Naomi Osaka’s continued commitment to the fight for social justice, equality, and mental health is well known. She unapologetically puts her money where her mouth is and never backs down. This weekend she did it again for another cause that’s near and dear to her heart.
Haiti.
On Saturday, an estimated 1,300 people were killed when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the country. That number is expected to rise as the country continues its rescue efforts.
To Osaka, who is Haitian and Japanese, the news was devastating.
“Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising,” tweeted Osaka.
According to The Washington Post, that prize money could be $255,220 if she wins.
This is Naomi Osaka’s first tournament after the Tokyo Olympics, where she was given the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron in her home country.
She takes the court on Monday afternoon as the #2 seed in the world and in the tournament.
