Naomi Osaka pledges donation to Haiti earthquake relief fund

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Naomi Osaka has announced she will donate proceeds from the Western & Southern Open to earthquake victims in Haiti.

"Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break," tweeted Sunday the 23-year-old Japanese star, who was born in Japan to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother.

"I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors' blood is strong we’ll keep rising," said Osaka who has four Grand Slam titles.

The tournament in Cincinnati runs from Aug. 14-22.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean country on Saturday, killing at least 1,200 people and injuring many others.

The world No. 2 in women's tennis withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon over mental health issues. She later participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but lost to Marketa Vondrousova in the 3rd round of women's singles.