Auger-Aliassime, Tiafoe, Williams and Osaka among others rally to fight against racism as world comes together after death of George Floyd
Tennis News
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe were just one of a few tennis players to give their support after the death of George Floyd which has seen the world come together to protest racism.
Floyd was arrested after supposedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a store and Derek Chauvin was videoed kneeling on him; while the former pleaded that he couldn't breathe and he was declared dead shortly after in a nearby hospital.
Auger-Aliassime in particular told a story of how racism has affected him and in this case his father which can be viewed in the video below which he put on his Instagram.
"There's been a lot of talking and I just felt like I wanted to share a thought and maybe react and encourage people to talk about it and be aware. As many will know I was raised by a French-Canadian mom and African father; so I guess I could experience both Worlds.
"I grew up in a calm neighbourhood and felt I was privileged to get freedom of speech and the same opportunities; so it makes me sad when I see people in the world that doesn't get the same freedom.
I think this has to change so people get equal opportunities. We always think it might happen in other neighbourhoods in certain situations; but that's not true."
"I think there's different types of racism, the ones that we've seen lately in the US have been violent but there is all types of racism and discrimination."
"My dad owns an apartment building where people rent the apartments; one day he was coming back home and he was going round the neighbourhood in his car and then he saw a police car behind him and thought it's a bit odd because the car seems to be following him. At one point he stops, it turns on the lights and is knocking on the window.
My dad says did I commit an offence or a felony; she said no you didn't commit anything and he said why am I being arrested and then she tells him it's pretty rare to see people of colour driving this vehicle in the neighbourhood."
New trend started by Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe also took action and began a trend on Instagram called #RacquetsDownHandsUp in which he aimed to spread awareness of racial discrimination; after this incident and the likes of Serena Williams, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka joined him.
“Enough is enough. ‘Our lives begin to end the day we became silent about things that matter’ Martin Luther Jr. King. Thank you to everyone that joined us in this, it starts with each and every one of us,” wrote Tiafoe on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CA2beaBHgVi/?igshid=m1j9dl47uz1n
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CA3bcYFA8cO/?igshid=1q7p30b5o24vs
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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