Naomi Osaka, Taylor Townsend & Other Tennis Stars Receive Backlash Over Their ‘Black Players Only’ Private Dinner Before French Open

Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend Hosted a Party. And the Haters Showed Up

By Shalise Manza YoungOn the eve of the French Open, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend co-hosted an intimate dinner party for other Black tennis players who would be at the tournament — by photos, it looked like six people in all.Osaka noted that some invitees were unable to attend, but think about that number: six. There are 256 men and women in the singles’ draws alone at the Open, and dozens more who play on a doubles team. And a single digit p…

Naomi Osaka, Taylor Townsend & Other Tennis Stars Receive Backlash Over Their ‘Black Players Only’ Private Dinner Before French Open

Naomi Osaka of Japan (Susan Mullane-Imagn Images) Stars Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend, two Black tennis players, hosted a party for Black players at the French Open in Paris. Once that news came out, all hell broke loose on social media. Osaka, who has cried over criticism in the past, is piling up wins on the court at the French Open. However, her success drew attention off the court for organizing a dinner for Black players before the tourna…