Naomi Osaka Biography
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player and activist. She attained the world No. 1 spot in singles according to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings and holds the distinction of being the first Asian player to achieve this top-ranking position in singles. She is also a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, with two Australian Open and two US Open titles.
She was born in Japan to a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, and moved to the United States when she was three years old. She represents Japan in international competitions, and was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She is also an entrepreneur, fashion icon, and founder of Kinlò, a skincare brand for melanated skin. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and inspiring athletes of her generation.
Naomi Osaka Early Life and Education
Naomi Osaka was born in Osaka, Japan, on October 16, 1997, to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother. She moved to the United States with her family when she was three years old and grew up in Long Island, New York, and Florida. She started playing tennis at home with her father, who coached her and her older sister Mari.
She was homeschooled and practiced tennis during the day. She turned professional in 2013, when she was 16 years old. She represents Japan in her tennis career, as she has Japanese citizenship and culture from her mother.
Naomi Osaka Career
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese tennis player and activist who has won four Grand Slam singles titles and reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2019.
Naomi Osaka was born in Japan, but she moved to the United States when she was three years old and started playing tennis with her father’s guidance.
She turned professional in 2013 and made her WTA Tour debut in 2014, defeating former US Open champion Samantha Stosur in her first match. She was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016 after reaching the third round of three Grand Slam tournaments.
Naomi won her first WTA title at the Indian Wells Open in 2018, becoming the first unseeded player to win the event since 2005. She then stunned the world by beating Serena Williams in the final of the US Open, becoming the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
She continued her success in 2019, winning the Australian Open and becoming the first Asian player to be ranked world No. 1. She also won the China Open and the Brisbane International that year.
In 2020, she won her second US Open title after defeating Victoria Azarenka in a thrilling final. She also used her platform to raise awareness of racial injustice and police brutality, wearing masks with the names of Black victims of violence before each match.
In 2021, she won her second Australian Open title and her fourth Grand Slam title overall, beating Jennifer Brady in the final. She also became the first Asian player to win multiple Australian Open titles.
In 2022, Naomi withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon due to mental health issues. She returned to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, where she lit the Olympic cauldron, but lost in the third round. She also lost in the third round of the US Open and announced a break from tennis for the rest of the year.
Naomi returned to elite tennis on January 1, 2024, after giving birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023. She won her first match in Brisbane against Tamara Korpatsch in two sets. She also played in the Melbourne Summer Set event, where she won her first round match against Alize Cornet but lost in the second round to Maryna Zanevska.
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Naomi Osaka Personal Life
Naomi Osaka is not married, but she has a boyfriend named Cordae, who is a rapper and activist. They have been dating since 2019 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Shai, in July 2023.
Osaka and Cordae are both supportive of each other’s careers and causes. They have attended several events together, such as the Met Gala and the ESPY Awards. They also share their love and appreciation for each other on social media. Osaka has said that motherhood has changed her perspective on life and tennis, and that she is enjoying every moment with her baby girl.
Naomi Osaka Net Worth And Income
Naomi Osaka’s net worth is estimated to be around $45 million as of January 2024. She is the highest-paid female athlete in history, earning nearly $60 million in the 12 months ending May 1, 2021 and $59.2 million in the following year. Most of her income comes from her endorsements with more than ten partners, such as Nike, Tag Heuer, Victoria’s Secret, and others. She also has her own skincare brand, talent agency, and production company.