Did you know Naomi Osaka, a tennis phenom, is the first Japanese player to win a single title in a Grand Slam event? Just at the age of 20, she defeated legendary Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final and marked the beginning of a remarkable career. Starting her career from junior tournaments to dominating the biggest stage in tennis, the story of Naomi is full of determination, resilience, and not giving up, inspiring millions of people around the world.
We all know her as a tennis player but she is more than that. Beyond the court, Naomi shows her entrepreneurial spirit by launching projects and partnerships that reflect her values. She has collaborated with multiple global brands and even co-founded KINLÒ, a skincare line designed for people with darker skin tones.
In this article, you will be reading some exclusive interesting facts about Naomi that make her a professional tennis player, an entrepreneur, and, more than this, a good human.
Early Life and Education of Naomi Osaka
Naomi was born on October 16, 1997, in Osaka, Japan, to a Haitian father, Leonard François, and a Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka. Her childhood was shaped by her diverse background, which gave her a unique perspective on life. When Naomi was three years old, her family moved to the United States, first settling in New York and later relocating to Florida to focus on her tennis training.
Naomi’s father, inspired by how Richard Williams trained Serena and Venus Williams, took on the role of her coach. He believed in pushing Naomi to compete against older, stronger players to help her grow faster and become tougher on the court. Instead of following the typical junior tennis path, Naomi played in challenging matches that prepared her for the professional stage.
Her family made many sacrifices to support her dreams. While her mother worked long hours to provide financially, her father focused on her training. Naomi was homeschooled, which allowed her to dedicate more time to tennis. Despite facing challenges as a biracial child and an unconventional player, Naomi’s upbringing laid the foundation for her determination and resilience, setting her on the path to becoming a global tennis star.
Naomi Osaka’s Sponsors
Naomi has become a global sports icon after winning against legendary Serena Williams and creating history in Japanese tennis. Her influence has attracted several high-profile sponsors, making her the highest-paid athlete of the time.
One of her main sponsors is Nike, a well-known sportswear brand. Naomi signed with Nike in 2019 and has since become one of the top athletes in their tennis line. She has her signature shoes and clothing, and she appears in many of their global ads.
Naomi is also a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton, a luxury fashion brand. In 2019, she became the first Asian ambassador for Louis Vuitton. She has appeared in their ads and even walked in fashion shows, making her a style icon in the fashion world.
Other brands that sponsor Naomi include Rolex (a luxury watchmaker), Yonex (which makes tennis equipment), and Procter & Gamble, with products like Gillette and Olay.
The list of sponsors goes on and on; here is the table listing all the sponsors with industry names and countries.
| Brand | Industry | Country |
| Nike | Apparel | USA |
| Mastercard | Financial Services | USA |
| Yonex | Sports equipment | Japan |
| Nissin | Food | Japan |
| ANA | Airline | Japan |
| bareMinerals | Cosmetics | USA |
| Citizen | Watches | Japan |
| Morinaga | Food (Confectionery) | Japan |
| Nissan | Automotive | Japan |
| P&G | Consumer goods | USA |
| Shiseido | Consumer goods | Japan |
| Wowow | Broadcasting | Japan |
Charity Work
Naomi is worldwide famous as a tennis star, but very few people know she takes active participation in charity work and helps people.
- COVID-19 Support: During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, she and her older sister, Mari Osaka, collaborated together with UNICEF to design the limited-edition face mask to support the healthcare workers and those affected by the crisis.
- Youth Support: Naomi participates in the programs aimed at empowering young athletes and encouraging them to pursue their dreams sometimes through mentorships and donations.
- Support for Haiti: To help the eartquake victims in Haiti, Naomi donated her prize money collected from the 2020 Western & Southern Open.
5 Smashing Facts About Naomi Osaka
From breaking records in tennis to championing social causes, Naomi has truly made her mark in many areas. Here are five fun and surprising facts about Naomi Osaka that show what makes her unique on and off the tennis court.
5. Naomi moved to the US at the age of 3: While she has lived and trained in the US, she plays for Japan, honoring her Japanese culture and cultural roots. She holds dual citizenship; her mother was from Japan and her father from the US.
4. Naomi’s dad is her 1st coach: She first began playing tennis under dad Leonard François who used the same model to that of Serena and Venus Williams’s father, training Naomi and her sister Mari, starting at the age of 3.
3. She has deep connection with amazing mentors: Naomi has made deep and personal connections with some of the greatest athletes of all time. She calls Serena Williams her “mom” and the late Kobe Bryant her “big bro”. They help her feel confident and boost energy after matches (especially losses).
2. Anime Fan: Naomi loves Japanese anime and has even been featured as a character in a manga series.
1. Black Lives Matter Advocate: Naomi used her platform to raise awareness for racial justice, wearing masks with the names of victims of police violence during the 2020 US Open.
Conclusion
Naomi Osaka is a name of talent born once in a history. She will be inspiring millions of youths, especially athletes, in years to come. Her determination, resilience, and ability to break the barriers on and off the court set an example of what it means to overcome challenges and stay true to one’s value.
Read more fascinating insights on the Visionary CIOs website!
