Naomi Osaka has social media users spiraling into a FOMO-fueled frenzy over a celebration of Black excellence.
The 28-year-old extended invitations to a number of players away from the Roland Garros courts for an exclusive, invite-only gathering.
Osaka, however, isn’t lending any sympathy to those unsettled by the private dinner after pushing back against online backlash.
The tennis champion is standing firm on the celebration and showing no concern for those who feel excluded.
The half-Japanese, half-Haitian-American star co-hosted a dinner for Black tennis phenoms alongside Taylor Townsend.
The gathering took place on Saturday, May 23, at Paris’s Soho House during the Roland Garros event.
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Guests included Coco Gauff, Gael Monfils, Taylor Townsend, Asia Muhammad and Chris Eubanks.
Townsend and Osaka each shared carousel recaps from the “Black AF” evening.
The former wrote, “This dinner that was much bigger than us. Laughter, stories, and wisdom were shared.. this wasn’t only good for the culture, it was great for the soul.”
Osaka said there was “no better company to share time with.” Everyone wore variations of black attire and enjoyed an array of small plates at a candlelit table.
Fans understood their intention and stood with her. Yet others argued that white players were unfairly left out.
A white X user ranted, “They don’t want equality, they think they should be treated better because of their skin color, they are RACISTS and obviously as 2 very rich women, no prejudice is happening no matter how much they SCREAM about it!! So F them!!”
Because they are RACISTS. They don’t want equality, they think they should be treated better because of their skin color, they are RACISTS and obviously as 2 very rich women, no prejudice is happening no matter how much they SCREAM about it!! So F them!!
— Fitness 23 Vanessa (@VBogenholm) May 25, 2026
Osaka addressed the controversy, never offering an apology for honoring Black athletes.
She shared, “Growing up, there weren’t many tennis players I could look up to who looked like me. Being a minority in a sport like tennis is very isolating, but the positive is that you keep tabs on others who — to be blunt — are Black.”
Adding, “You simply feel at ease knowing there’s another person who has faced similar experiences, and you feel less alone… I’m grateful to them for existing and for inspiring others, and I’m deeply proud and appreciative of everyone who attended the dinner (and those who couldn’t make it as well).”
Osaka’s posting closed with a brief clip from Issa Rae’s “I’m Rooting for Everybody Black” moment from 2017.
One fan’s reaction to her explanation reads, “It says a lot that she has to write this long epistle to explain why she had a party for people who happen to be human beings.”
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Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.