American tennis players Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend are winning matches at the French Open after drawing attention off the court for hosting a dinner for Black players before the tournament began. Multiple outlets report that the gathering sparked online discussion, with some users comparing the event to segregation, while others questioned the backlash. Townsend said the reaction caused “a bit of a stir,” describing the situation as ironic in a sport where Black players have long been a minority. The reports also note that Osaka and Townsend addressed the criticism circulating on social media following the event. While exact details of the dinner’s organization and subsequent responses vary by outlet, they broadly agree that the dinner was framed by the players as a moment for Black players to come together ahead of the French Open. As the controversy played out online, Osaka and Townsend continued to compete, adding to their results at Roland Garros.