10 Things You Didn’t Know About Naomi Osaka
Welcome to the Naomi Osaka series of Newsletter!
In this issue, we will share some lesser-known and fascinating facts about our favorite tennis star, Naomi Osaka. Did you know that...
- Naomi Osaka is of Japanese and Haitian descent. Her mother is from Japan and her father is from Haiti. She was born in Osaka, Japan, but moved to the United States when she was three years old.
- Naomi Osaka was only 20 years old when she won the U.S. Open in 2018, defeating Serena Williams in a controversial final. She became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
- Naomi Osaka was coached by her father, Leonard Francois, who taught himself how to play tennis by watching videos of Serena and Venus Williams. He also coached Naomi's older sister, Mari Osaka, who is also a professional tennis player.
- Naomi’s doubles partner is her older sister, Mari Osaka. The sisters have played together in several tournaments, including the 2019 Pan Pacific Open and the 2020 Brisbane International.
- The Office is Naomi Osaka’s favorite TV show. She has watched all nine seasons multiple times and can quote many lines from the show. She even met some of the cast members at the 2019 U.S. Open.
- Naomi Osaka is the first Asian player in history to be ranked number one in the world. She achieved this feat in January 2019, after winning the Australian Open. She has since regained the top spot twice more, in August 2019 and February 2021.
But wait, there's more! Here are some more interesting facts about Naomi Osaka that you may not have heard before:
- Naomi Osaka started playing tennis at the age of 3. She was inspired by watching her sister play and wanted to join her on the court.
- Naomi Osaka grew up in the United States but holds Japanese citizenship and represents Japan on the court. She chose to play for Japan because she felt more connected to her mother's culture and wanted to honor her grandparents who still live in Japan.
- Naomi Osaka is simultaneously one of the most intimidating and most relatable players in women's tennis right now. She has a powerful serve and a fierce forehand, but she also has a shy and humble personality that endears her to fans and media alike.
- In one year, Naomi Osaka made a whopping $37.4 million in prize money and sponsorships, making her the highest-paid woman athlete in history. She surpassed Serena Williams, who held the record for four years. Naomi has deals with brands such as Nike, Mastercard, Nissan, and Louis Vuitton.
- Naomi Osaka is known as an advocate for social justice. She has used her platform to raise awareness and support for various causes, such as Black Lives Matter, mental health, and women's empowerment. She has also donated money and equipment to schools and organizations in Haiti and Japan.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Naomi Osaka in this newsletter. If you want to stay updated on her latest news and achievements, follow her on Instagram (@naomiosaka) and Twitter (@naomiosaka).