Naomi Osaka tweets her support for the England players racially abused after Italy Euro 2020 final defeat

ByEurosport

Published 13/07/2021 at 08:12 GMT

Japan star Naomi Osaka is known not just for her tennis on the court, but also her active role in highlighting racial inequality off it. After discovering the racist abuse Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho received following England's Euro 2020 defeat to Italy in the final, the 23-year-old showed her support for the players.

Naomi Osaka has tweeted her support for the England players who were racially abused following their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed spot-kicks in the shootout and were subjected to racist abuse on social media after the game.

The two-time US Open and Australian Open winner tweeted her support for the players with a powerful photo.

WTA Madrid

Osaka 'taking a lot of inspiration' from clay experts as she seeks first title on surface

24/04/2024 at 17:14

• Opinion - racist reactions show Euro 2020 heroics not enough to unite England
• Proud Rashford reacts to mural defacement

Osaka highlighted racial injustice at last year's US Open when she wore seven different masks for seven matches which had the names of seven Black people who were killed in America by either police or racists.

'I hope we can help her' - Gauff reacts to Osaka's French Open withdrawal

Osaka, who was crowned Best Athlete in Women's Sports at the 2021 ESPY Awards on Saturday, withdrew from this year's French Open on account of the controversy over her refusal to do press conferences as they impacted on her mental health.

She wrote in Time Magazine that players should be given "privacy" and "empathy" from the press and players should be allowed to take a mental break from the media.

Former British number one Andy Murray tweeted after the England defeat to Italy: "All of those players deserve and need the support of the public after that. All seem like brilliant guys. Nothing can prepare you for that level of pressure/attention/criticism at 19/20 years old. Respect"

Tennis

Murray steps up rehab with return to court in Wimbledon fitness race

19/04/2024 at 13:06

Tennis

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

15/04/2024 at 20:14

Billie Jean King Cup

Osaka aiming for Paris Olympics after helping Japan reach Billie Jean King finals

13/04/2024 at 20:01