Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend host dinner for Black players

Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend organized a dinner for Black players prior to the French Open, an event that generated significant social media discussion.

Taylor Townsend noted that while much of the reaction to her Instagram post regarding the evening was positive, the event also drew criticism. Some social media users characterized the gathering as “segregation,” while others questioned when similar events would be held for white, Latino, or Asian players. Townsend addressed the controversy by noting that Black players have long been a minority in the sport and that their coming together was perceived by some as a problem.