in Wisconsin, in August, Osaka withdrew from her Western & Southern Open semifinal match against Elise Mertens in protest of police brutality. “As a Black woman,” Osaka said on Instagram, “I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention rather than watching me play tennis.
It is not always necessary for Black athletes to engage directly in activism to break down barriers — their presence alone opens doors for those who come after them. Althea Gibson, for instance, famously broke through the color barrier at Wimbledon in 1951,Nevertheless, few figures are as uniquely positioned to influence their audience as professional athletes are, particularly champions.
The phrase “shut up and dribble” represents a commonly held sentiment that sports and politics should not mix, but , instead setting an example for fans who may consider themselves apolitical. Even if the outcome is a begrudgingly raised awareness, they’re laying the foundation for progress.