Naomi Osaka said Thursday she will play in her rescheduled semifinal at the Western and Southern Open, a day after the Japanese world No. 10 announced she would sit out the match in solidarity with U.S. protests over racial injustice and police brutality.
In consultation with the WTA and the U.S. Tennis Association, Osaka said in a statement through her management that "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."