Naomi Osaka Pledges Prize Money From Western & Southern Open to Haiti Relief Efforts

Naomi Osaka will be competing in the Western & Southern Open this week and plans to donate her prize money to the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

After an earthquake hit Haiti Saturday morning tennis star Naomi Osaka announced plans to assist in the relief efforts with her winnings from the Western & Southern Open. The 7.2-magnitude earthquake killed over 300 people.

"Really hurts to see all the devastation that's going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can't catch a break," Osaka, who is half Haitian, wrote in a tweet. "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."

Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. 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 🇭🇹❤️🙏🏾

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 14, 2021

The Western & Southern Open begins Monday in Cincinnati. The tournament begins Monday and is expected to award the women's singles winner $255,220. The runner-up will receive $188,945, according to perfect-tennis.com.

Main Draw at #CincyTennis, where Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka return to tour action as the top seeds. pic.twitter.com/OEvpqSvE1R

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 14, 2021

Osaka last competed at the Olympics where she failed to medal after losing to Marketa Vondrousova in the third round. She also lit the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony after taking a hiatus from tennis in order to focus on her mental health.