If you know anything about the sport of tennis, there’s a good chance you know who Naomi Osaka is. The Japanese athlete is just 23 years old, but she has already cemented herself as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. After winning her first Grand Slam a few years ago, Osaka has continued to have incredible success both on and off the court. With her unique playing style and charming personality, it’s no wonder she’s already a star in her sport.
Though she has many more years of tennis ahead of her (and many more titles), there’s still a lot to learn about Osaka. From where she grew up to her incredible success on the court, here are eight facts you need to know about the young phenom.
She’s Lived in the United States Since She Was Three
Though Osaka plays for Japan, she has actually lived in the United States since she was three years old. Her family moved from Japan to Valley Stream, New York, to live with her father’s parents.
Her Father Was Her First Coach
Osaka’s father decided he wanted to teach his daughters to play tennis after watching Venus and Serena Williams compete at the 1999 French Open. In fact, he was inspired by the Williams’ father, Richard Williams, who had coached both his daughters despite never playing the sport.
It was clear Osaka was a natural, so her father moved them to Florida when she was eight so she’d have better coaching opportunities.
First Grand Slam Victory
After turning pro as a teenager, Osaka won her first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2018. She was just 20 years old at the time and managed to win against Serena Williams.
Relationship Status
Osaka is currently in a relationship with rapper YBN Cordae. The couple actually first met at a Los Angeles Clippers game, though he did not know who she was at the time.
She Has Her Own Barbie
After winning her first Grand Slam and becoming a popular sports figure, Osaka actually got her own Barbie doll! Her Barbie was included in a line of dolls celebrating extraordinary women in 2019.
Racial Justice Advocate
Osaka used her platform at the 2020 US Open to draw attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. During her seven matches, she wore masks with the names of victims of racial injustice. It was a powerful statement and led to important conversations among the tennis community.
Highest-Paid Female Athlete Ever
In 2020, Osaka became the highest-paid female athlete of all time, having earned $37.4 million. While she won a good chunk from playing tennis, $34 million came from her endorsement deals. She was also the 29th highest-paid athlete overall in 2020 and the 8th highest-paid athlete in endorsements.
Sportsperson of the Year
Thanks to her incredible performance on the court this year, as well as her important activism work off the court, Osaka was recognized as a 2020 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.
She was recognized alongside Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Seattle Storm player Breanna Stewart, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.