Stefanos Tsitsipas was spotted sporting a #BlackLivesMatter shirt on Wednesday in his suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which impressed Naomi Osaka quite a bit.
After her straight-sets win over Camila Giorgi on Day 2, the Japanese star was asked if he got the shirt from her. She said no, but added that she has been impressed with Tsitsipas’ curiosity and willingness to open himself to learn about the movement.
“He didn't get that from me,” she said, adding: “But I'm super proud of him. I'm very glad that his first response when everything started happening was to ask me questions."
Osaka has been a big supporter of the movement. Ever since George Floyd’s death she has been outspoken in her support and even attended #BlackLivesMatter protests in Minneapolis this spring. Additionally, she has won the names of Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain on her mask in her first two matches and says she has seven masks made already, one for each round.
McClain died last year three days after he was put in a chokehold by police and then given sedatives in an ambulance. He was known as a gentle soul, a pacifist and a “spiritual seeker.”
She spoke about it tonight with reporters.
“I think when I heard about his story it was very hurtful,” she said. “I mean, they're all very hurtful, but just the fact of the character and the way that he was, just to hear stories about him, for me it was very sad. I think this was a bit different because no one can really paint the narrative that he was a bad guy because they had so many stories and so many, like, warmhearted things to say about him.
“I don't know. I feel like I still don't think his name is very put out there compared to, like, George Floyd or Breonna Taylor. For me, today was very special in the way that I wanted to represent him very well.”
Oska said she was impressed by Tsitsipas’ willingness to branch out and be curious.
“For me, I feel like I like to get knowledge,” she said. “For him to do the same thing, start branching out and asking questions on topics he's not so sure of, is very mature and intelligent. Yeah, super glad he did that.”