Naomi Osaka has confirmed that she will return to play her Western and Southern Open semi-final match on Friday.
The women's world no10 was originally scheduled to face Elise Mertens in the last four of the US Open warm-up tournament in New York on Thursday, but withdrew from the tournament hours after her quarter-final defeat of Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday in protest at racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.
"Before I am a athlete, I am a Black woman," Osaka wrote on Twitter before the tournament was suspended.
"And as a Black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis."
Osaka's withdrawal formed part of wider protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin and the unprecedented postponement of matches across multiple sports including basketball, baseball and football.
In a further statement released on Thursday, the two-time Grand Slam winner said she was prepared to concede her match against Belgian Mertens, but had now agreed to return to the competition and play on Friday after detailed discussions with the WTA and United States Tennis Association (USTA).
"As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence," Osaka said in a statement on Thursday.
"I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent.
"However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday.
"They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement. I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support."
