Three-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka ended 2020 with another well deserved flex—by becoming a Vogue cover girl.
The reigning U.S. Open champ is one of four cover stars gracing the magazine’s January issue and is being lauded not just for her athletic achievements but also her political activism.
Earlier this year, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, Osaka used her platform to amplify calls for racial and social justice. She was active on social media, boycotted a tennis tournament and marched against police brutality.
Vogue pic.twitter.com/XLeNUBXyJp
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) December 11, 2020
Most notably, the tennis star put the names of Black victims of police violence front and center during her matches. As she walked out onto the court at the U.S. Open, Osaka wore masks honoring Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and Philando Castile.
1st round: Breonna Taylor
2nd round: Elijah McClain
3rd round: Ahmaud Arbery
Round of 16: Trayvon Martin
Quarterfinals: George Floyd
Tonight: Philando Castile✊🏽 @naomiosaka pic.twitter.com/bDFbTFY0y6
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) September 10, 2020
It was the most visible expression of her activism, which she told Vogue has been brewing throughout the year.
“I consider myself Japanese-Haitian-American. I always grew up with a little bit more Japanese heritage and culture, but I’m Black, and I live in America, and I personally didn’t think it was too far-fetched when I started talking about things that were happening here. There are things going on here that really scare me.”
Osaka, who was photographed by Annie Leibovitz, joins Black female athletes like Simone Biles and Serena Williams as a Vogue cover star.
