“It takes more strength to speak up than to stay quiet” – Naomi Osaka. The Japanese superstar, who was initially known for being a shy and introverted person, has now become one of the strongest voices in addressing social issues. Talking about being vocal and speaking one’s mind on these topics, there is another name that has risen to prominence these days. Apart from being an incredibly talented tennis player, Coco Gauff is also known for using her voice to defend what’s right. What does Naomi Osaka think of these athletes who never hesitate to speak out when it matters the most?

Be it wearing seven different masks at the 2020 US Open, each with a name- a silent tribute to Black victims of racial injustice or throwing her support behind BLM protests amid severe backlash, Osaka has time and again portrayed her will for a permanent social change. Naomi Osaka who has Japanese and Haitian parents, grew up mostly in the US. Speaking about all these things, she once said, “Before I am an athlete, I am a Black woman. And as a black woman, I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis.” Not only this, Naomi Osaka even has been very vocal on mental health issues.

In 2021, she even withdrew her name from the French Open citing her mental health issues. That was quite a bold call, and it literally showed the way to others on how everyone needs to take these issues seriously. Just like Osaka, even players like Coco Gauff have been playing a similar role in the past few years. Speaking on that, during an interview with BAZAAR Australia, Osaka said, “Athletes’ journeys will always ebb and flow, and the expectation of us all is sometimes crushing. Being on top of your game in both mind and body is challenging, and I am so glad to be a part of the important conversation trying to change that for future athletes.”

She further added, “Athletes have more of a voice than ever before. How one uses that voice can vary dramatically. I respect athletes who speak out and disrupt the status quo. I suppose I have done that over the years.” Did she indirectly pay a tribute to Coco Gauff with these lines? Well, Naomi Osaka has always been a huge admirer of Coco Gauff!

In 2022, during an interview, Osaka praised Coco Gauff by saying, “When I was her age, I would find myself getting frustrated and I would show it. So I just think it’s really cool how she’s able to stay really neutral all the time.” Both these tennis stars are known for their incredible maturity and leadership skills. Perhaps, that’s why during a previous interview, we saw a former WTA star hearing praise on Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff for their incredible roles in setting an example for others.

“Great young leaders” – Tennis legend heaps praise on Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka

Despite being just 20 years old, Coco Gauff has shown enormous maturity and authenticity in her activism. Her passionate speeches and social media posts reflect her commitment to fighting for change. Coco Gauff is often seen encouraging others, regardless of the size of their platforms, to use their voices to demand change, but who inspired Gauff to speak her mind on and off the court?

During a previous interaction, Coco Gauff credited her grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom for being the inspiration in all these things. She said, “She’s one of the main reasons I use my platform the way I do & why I feel so comfortable speaking out. For those who don’t know, she was the 1st black person to go to Seacrest High School. She was chosen to integrate that high school. She had to deal with a lot of stuff…She had to deal with a lot of things like racial injustice. Her leading the way she is & being so kind to everyone regardless of their background is something I take inspiration from.”

After hearing a lot of things about the incredible maturity shown by these two tennis stars, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, tennis legend Pam Shriver was spotted heaping praise on them during an interview in 2022. During her interview with SkySports, Shriver said, “They’ve been great young leaders in the last eight to 10 months in a difficult time. They’re both obviously of color and they come at it from a different perspective than say I would as a person who grew up with what you might call white privilege.”

While talking about Coco Gauff, she said, Gauff has all the makings of a “great leader for women’s tennis for a long time.” Shriver also mentioned how impressed was she to see Naomi Osaka walking out at the US Open with that mask on. What are your thoughts on these, though? Share with us in the comment box. Do you agree with Shriver’s take on the leadership skills of Coco Gauff?