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Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka emotionally spoke out against heckling after being denigrated by a spectator during Saturday's match at BNP Paribas Masters in Indian Wells, California.
The four-time majors champion was playing against Russia’s Veronica Kudermetova in their first set when a woman yelled, "Naomi, you suck."
After Osaka lost to Kudermetova, Osaka asked the umpire if she could take the mic to address the crowd about something that was "on her heart."
Naomi Osaka was heckled mid-match on Saturday at Indian Wellshttps://thecut.io/3MLzMhc— The Cut (@The Cut) 1647197830
While fighting back tears, the formerly ranked No. 1 by the Women's Tennis Association, talked about heckling and referred to the same abuse leveled at fellow tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams at the same event in 2001.
"To be honest, I've gotten heckled before, it didn't really bother me," she said
"But [being] heckled here, I watched a video of Venus and Serena [Williams] getting heckled here, and if you've never watched it, you should watch it."
"I don't know why, but it went into my head, and it got replayed a lot. I'm trying not to cry."
You can watch a clip of her addressing the crowd, here.
Naomi Osaka asked for the microphone after her loss against Veronika Kudermetova. Here's what she said.pic.twitter.com/0Pj9WnNe4t— The Tennis Letter (@The Tennis Letter) 1647153137
Osaka finished her speech by thanking her fans for their support and congratulating her opponent for winning the match.
In 2001, the Williams sisters and their father, Richard Williams, were subjected to verbal abuse at the same Southern California venue.
The heckling happened amid speculation that Richard fixed a match, which the Williams family denied.
Venus had withdrawn from her scheduled semi-final against Serena after sustaining a knee injury.
When Venus and their father sat down to watch Serena in the final against Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters, the crowd booed and periodically heckled Serena throughout the match.
A video from the 2001 tournament can be seen, here.
And if you have no idea what this is in reference tohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcUcTMdn4dE\u00a0\u2026— Nikita is trying to watch \ud83c\udfcf\ud83c\udfc0\u26bd\ud83c\udfbe in March (@Nikita is trying to watch \ud83c\udfcf\ud83c\udfc0\u26bd\ud83c\udfbe in March) 1647153135
As a result of the heckling–which Richard claimed included racial slurs–the family boycotted the event for 14 years, despite Indian Wells being a mandatory stop on the WTA tour since 2009.
A lot of comments on Twitter said heckling is part of being a star competitor and some sports fans suggested Osaka needed to grow "thicker skin."
However, plenty of supporters disagreed with the bullish mentality and came to defend Osaka.
I\u2019m reading a lot of tweets telling Naomi Osaka to grow a thicker skin How much better our world would be, if those same tweeters, instead of advising the innocent party to accept the abuse, told the abusers to be less bullying, racist and a whole lot more kind. #Naomi— Jacee Hamilton (@Jacee Hamilton) 1647188869
maybe sports fans need to develop a thicker skin so they don't lose their fucking minds over a game— jolyne ku-hoe (@jolyne ku-hoe) 1647191808
For those saying, toughen up, grow a thicker skin etc watch the Netflix doc on Mardy Fish, and see these professionals sports people are just like you people telling them to toughen up. They're humans. Only difference is they're much much better than you.— Tommy (@Tommy) 1647197802
Remember these are people. Its just a sport. Enjoy the sport and the skill and the opportunity to see it live. They are just trying to do their job and play well, and people that feel they need to bully them clearly need to relax. Don't be a hater— Ugh, what a drag. (@Ugh, what a drag.) 1647207317
I don\u2019t understand the mind set of someone who hates someone so much, they would take away from the experience of the person who won. Like, that heckler hated Osaka more than he was rooting for the player who won.— Evolved From Bears (@Evolved From Bears) 1647219645
More positive Twitter comments followed.
People can be awful. I don\u2019t know exactly how @naomiosaka felt but I know the horror of seeing racism of years old repeat itself with you. It\u2019s as if no progress has been made and there is nothing you can do to change it. She\u2019s so brave. Such a champion. Sending her love.— Jamila Hall (@Jamila Hall) 1647194113
Naomi stand strong n don\u2019t let this mean people get to you. You are a fabulous athlete and you can be one of the most amazing tennis player in the world. Keep in playing and having fun in court! Brava!— indaiski (@indaiski) 1647206906
Naomi, we love you. They are uncool, you are awesome and everyone knows.— RealCatzCatting (@RealCatzCatting) 1647223006
Naomi, those who can, do! Those who can't heckle.— Michael Bryant (@Michael Bryant) 1647189772
Naomi Osaka is a GOAT and we all know it.— RealCatzCatting (@RealCatzCatting) 1647223259
Who heckled her my hands wanna talk— Robin Banks (@Robin Banks) 1647188804
She elaborated her reason on social media, writing:
"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one."
"We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me."
She continued:
"I've watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room, and I know you have as well."
"I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they're down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it.