NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Naomi Osaka of Japan makes her way to the court for her semifinal match against Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City.

Osaka using masks at US Open to raise awareness about racial injustice

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Naomi Osaka is using her platform at the US Open to bring awareness to victims of racial inequality.

The tennis star arrived to her first-round match Monday wearing a face mask featuring the name of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Louisville EMT who was fatally shot by police during a raid on her home in March. It's one of seven masks that Osaka brought with her to the tournament, each of which honors a different person.

7 masks, 7 names.

If Osaka reaches the final we will see them all. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/jmARabKhae
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020

"I'm aware that tennis is watched all over the world, and maybe there is someone that doesn't know Breonna Taylor's story. Maybe they'll, like, Google it or something," Osaka said, according to Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press. "For me, (it's about) just spreading awareness. I feel like the more people know the story, then the more interesting or interested they'll become in it."

The No. 4-ranked Osaka defeated Misaki Doi 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 on Monday and will face Camila Giorgi in the second round.