Men’s doubles winners push for justice
DUTCHMAN Jean-Julien Rojer and Romania’s Horia Tecau pressed for social justice and racial equality after winning the men’s doubles title for their second Grand Slam crown.
The 12th-seeded duo defeated Spanish 11th seeds Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 6-4, 6-3 to win their first US Open. Their other Slam trophy came at Wimbledon in 2015.
After the triumph, Rojer – wearing a yellow shirt bearing a drawing of the Statue of Liberty – said the clothing was inspired by last month’s confrontation between extreme right demonstrators and counter-protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one person dead.
“The idea came after the tragic incident in Charlottesville and we came up with this line promoting peace and freedom and liberty,” Rojer said.
The Dutchman said he has another shirt with people locking arms in a civil rights march.
“Hopefully we’re moving in that direction,” Rojer said. “I’ve been here since I was 12 years old. It’s a great country. I’m happy they let me in and that I get to do my job here.
“Hopefully we’ll create these opportunities for everybody.”
His comments come as US President Donald Trump has tightened immigration policies and after he spoke of “very fine people” on both sides in Charlottesvile, shocking even some political allies.
A violent white supremacist rally opposing removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee sparked a global outcry when neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan supporters and others openly marched and confronted counter demonstrators.
Heather Heyer, 32, was killed and 19 others injured when a farright supporter ran his car into the crowd of counter demonstrators.
Tecau added that as champion athletes they had an obligation to spread a message of racial equality and social justice.
“We’re viewed as role models for a lot of the people,” he said. “It’s nice to send this message and spread it, because you have a lot of people that look up to you.”