BJK, Rubin and Lisa Leslie talk athlete activism

Sitting down with Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison on the latest episode of Game, Set, Chat, Billie Jean King and WNBA superstar Lisa Leslie gave their thoughts on the recent social justice movements in sports.

The quartet discussed their own experiences as well as all of the recent news and how the Black LIves Matter movement has developed, and even restarted, in tennis.

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I had so much fun chatting with @Chanda_Rubin, @beyondthegold, and @LisaLeslie on @gamesetchatlive. I’ve been on the show several times, & this week we are talking athlete activism, & how athletes are using their platforms to change the world now more than ever. Tune in tonight. https://t.co/zuLx0yksam pic.twitter.com/hm0Do1rgJV — Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 31, 2020

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As expected from the leading member of the Original Nine, King was more than eager to discuss athlete activism. She has been extremely supportive of Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and more of the outspoken voices in tennis.

Tennis has already seen its fair share of action with Osaka attending protests in Minneapolis, Gauff giving a speech at a peaceful gathering in Delray Beach, and many more taking to social media. Last week Osaka made the biggest statement of all when she announced she wouldn't play the Western & Southern Open semifinals after the shooting of Jacob Blake. She would return to the court to win the semifinals, but retired before the final against Victoria Azarenka with a hamstring injury.

On Monday, Osaka continued her efforts of raising awareness by wearing a Breonna Taylor mask ahead of her opening match against Misaki Doi at the US Open.

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.@naomiosaka walked out in a Breonna Taylor mask for her night match at Arthur Ashe stadium.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Ubxwst54kl — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020

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She said she plans to wear a different mask with a new name before each of her matches.

You can keep up with Rubin and Garrison's web series here.