Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player, has achieved the world No. 1 ranking in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association. As the first Asian player to hold the top singles ranking, Osaka boasts four Grand Slam singles titles, including two victories at the Australian Open and two at the US Open.
Bio/Wiki
Age- 26 years
Height- 1.8 m
Weight- 69 kg
Born- 16 October 1997
Birthplace- Chuo Ward, Osaka, Japan
Spouse- Cordae
Profession-Japanese tennis player
Nationality- Japanese
Parents
Naomi Osaka parents are Tamaki Osaka and Leonard François. Naomi Osaka’s mother hails from Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan, while her father is from Jacmel, Haiti. She has an older sister named Mari, a former professional tennis player. The sisters adopted their mother’s family name for practical reasons during their time living in Japan.
Relationship
In 2019, Naomi Osaka entered into a relationship with the American rapper Cordae, formerly known as YBN Cordae.
Children
She was expecting her first child with Cordae, and on July 7, she welcomed a baby girl.
Career
At three years old, Osaka’s family moved from Japan to Elmont, New York, inspired by her father’s desire to teach tennis after witnessing the Williams sisters at the 1999 French Open. Despite limited tennis experience, he followed Richard Williams’ blueprint for training his daughters. In 2006, the family relocated to Florida for enhanced training opportunities. Osaka practiced on public courts in Pembroke Pines during the day and received homeschooling at night. At 15, she started working with Patrick Tauma at the ISP Academy, later moving to the Harold Solomon Tennis Academy in 2014 and subsequently training at the ProWorld Tennis Academy.
In 2016, Osaka made her first WTA final at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, entering the top 50 of the WTA rankings. Her breakthrough came in 2018, winning her first WTA title at the Indian Wells Open and defeating Serena Williams in the US Open final, becoming the first Japanese player to win a major singles title. Amidst personal challenges, Osaka retired from the 2021 French Open, withdrew from Wimbledon, and exited early at the US Open. From 2018 to 2021, she secured a major singles title each year, ending the streak in 2022.
Osaka, a highly marketable athlete, ranked eighth in endorsement income among all athletes in 2020 and was the highest-earning female athlete by annual income that year. Recognized for activism, particularly in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, she was named one of the 2020 Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year and featured on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Additionally, she received the 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award. Osaka made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron. On the court, she employs an aggressive playing style, marked by a powerful serve reaching speeds of 201 kilometers per hour (125 mph).
Returning to competition after the French Open, Osaka won her first-round match at San Jose against Zheng Qinwen in three sets but faced a straight-set loss to Coco Gauff in the next round. At the Canadian Open, Osaka retired from her opening match against Kaia Kanepi due to a back injury. Despite a positive start at the US Open against Danielle Collins, she lost in two sets. Her challenges persisted at the Pan Pacific Open, where, as the defending champion, she withdrew in the second round due to abdominal pain. In her first-round match, opponent Daria Gavrilova retired due to a knee injury after just one game.
Naomi Osaka’s Coaches
Following the 2017 season, Osaka changed coaches, opting for Sascha Bajin, a former hitting partner for top players like Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki. Under Bajin’s guidance, Osaka secured her first Premier Mandatory title and two Grand Slam singles titles, reaching the world No. 1 ranking after previously being ranked below No. 40. Bajin earned the inaugural WTA Coach of the Year award in 2018. Surprisingly, Osaka parted ways with Bajin shortly after winning the 2019 Australian Open, prioritizing her happiness over success. Jermaine Jenkins took over as her coach from March to October, with Osaka briefly coached by her father in September. She won her first two tournaments upon reuniting with her father. At the beginning of the 2020 season, Wim Fissette joined as her coach.
Navigating Mental Health Challenges
Osaka has grappled with depression since the 2018 US Open. In May 2021, she withdrew from the French Open after refusing press conferences, citing mental health concerns and receiving a fine. Shortly after, she pulled out of Wimbledon, aiming for personal time. Her return for the Olympics ended in a third-round loss due to the pressure. At the 2021 US Open, Osaka faced an emotional match, throwing her racket and expressing anxiety. Subsequently, she took an indefinite break from tennis, seeking therapy. In 2022, a heckler at the Indian Wells Open led to tears, prompting Osaka to continue therapy. Despite ups and downs, she feels content with her mental health journey.
Osaka Stays Positive Despite Brisbane International Exit
Naomi Osaka’s return to elite-level tennis after becoming a mother concluded with a second-round defeat to three-time champion Karolina Pliskova at the Brisbane International. Despite winning her return match on Monday, Osaka faced a tougher challenge against Pliskova. While Osaka took the first set, Pliskova fought back, ultimately securing a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory with 16 aces and 50 winners. Osaka acknowledged the shorter week but remains positive about her preparations for the Australian Open, emphasizing the court’s challenging nature. Pliskova, ranked 39th and playing after a wrist injury hiatus, expressed satisfaction with her season start. The defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, won her match 6-3, 6-0 against Lucia Bronzetti.
Net Worth 2024
Naomi Osaka Sets Earnings Record: $60 Million in 2024.
