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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to media following her Women’s Singles third round defeat to Coco Gauff of the United States of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Haiti experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Saturday. The calamity destroyed many homes and killed 304 people, along with injuring more than 1500 people. Half-Haitian tennis ace Naomi Osaka has shown her support and expressed grief over the matter.
Osaka was born in Japan to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother. However, she represents Japan in international tournaments and trains in the US.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks during media day prior to the the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 23, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Naomi Osaka pledges to donate her winnings for the Haitian people
Haiti is a small island nation located in the Caribbean islands. The nation is prone to earthquakes and other natural calamities. Due to poor infrastructure and deforestation, Haiti experiences major damages and losses during earthquakes.
Due to her ancestral roots in Haiti, the tennis star has pledged to donate her winnings towards the Haitian people, to aid the restoration of the small island nation.
“I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising,” tweeted Osaka.
Along with Naomi, there are a number of people who have vowed to help the small nation. The US government, Miami FC, and other US officials have shown their support for the country.
Watch this story: How Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Others Travel
Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising 🇭🇹❤️🙏🏾
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 14, 2021
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Osaka’s next challenge in 2021
Unlike many tennis stars, Naomi Osaka has decided to play at the Cincinnati Open. Her upset at the Tokyo Olympic Games raised many eyebrows and talks began regarding her form. However, the World No.2 is determined to prove people wrong and reply with her racquet. The number two seed at Cincinnati can face a number of big names in the quarterfinal stages.
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Naomi Osaka will also be determined to shine at the US Open later this month. As a preparatory tournament, her win at the Cincinnati Open will be crucial for the US Open. Moreover, she will be looking to defend her 2020 US Open title.
Read More: Naomi Osaka Receives Special Gift From Naruto Creator After Tokyo Olympics 2020 Flame Honor
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