Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is a Japanese tennis player who made a big name for herself by winning the 2018 US Open and following up with another win at the Australian Open 2019. She won the US Open for a second time in 2020 and followed it by winning the Australian Open in 2021.

A talented striker of the ball, Osaka has been touted for great things right since the time she turned pro. Having also won the Indian Wells title in her breakthrough 2018 season, Osaka has started doing full justice to her sky-high potential.

Naomi Osaka Early Life

Naomi Osaka was born to a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, and lived in the USA since she was aged 3. She started playing tennis at a very young age, and chose to represent Japan. She also has an older sister - Mari Osaka. Inspired by the Williams sisters, Osaka's father began training them. In 2006, the family moved to Florida in order to improve the training facilities for the daughters.

Naomi Osaka practiced on the public courts of Pembroke Pines, and worked under Patrick Tauma at the age of 15.

Naomi Osaka Boyfriend

Naomi Osaka is reportedly dating rapper Cordae since 2019. There have been numerous rumors regarding an alleged split; however, none of this has been confirmed. Cordae was famously seen during Osaka's US Open triumph during the Covid-19 pandemic, and they are supposedly still going strong. However, they have chosen to keep their personal life away from the public eye.

Naomi Osaka Kids

Naomi Osaka has one child as of 2024 - a daughter named Shai. The four-time Grand Slam champion gave birth in July 2023, making Shai one year old.

Naomi Osaka Net Worth

Naomi Osaka has an estimated net worth of $50 million, as of 2024. She is among the most marketable athletes around the world, and has earned well over $21 million during the course of her career. Her main sources of earning are her professional tennis career as well as the brand endorsements that she has garnered over time. According to Forbes, the Japanese sensation made over $60 million a few years ago in 2021, merely through prize money and partnership deals.

Some of the companies that have signed up with Naomi Osaka include: Yonex, Workday, Nissin Foods, Nissan, Tag Heuer, Body Armor and MasterCard.

Best Finish at Each of the four Grand Slams

Australian Open: Champion - Women's Singles (2019, 2021)

French Open: 3rd Round (2016, 2018, 2019)

Wimbledon: 3rd Round (2017, 2018)

US Open: Champion (2018, 2020)

Highest Ranking: No. 1

Style of Play

Naomi Osaka is an aggressive baseliner who likes to hit the ball on the rise and take time away from her opponents. Osaka's game is centered around her serve, which she uses to take the initiative in any point. She also uses her forehand as an offensive weapon, and looks to control the rallies by hitting deep, heavy forehands.

Osaka has a two-handed backhand that serves as a set up shot for her forehand. That said, she can also use it as an attacking tool when she has enough time to wind up for it. Osaka doesn't approach the net a lot, and is content to stand at the baseline for a vast majority of her matches.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Naomi Osaka has one of the best serves in the world, and frequently gets a ton of free points through aces and service winners. She also has a very good return, and can hit aggressively on it even when stretched wide. Osaka's forehand is powerful and penetrating, and can help her take charge of rallies with a single strike. Her backhand is less of a weapon, but is still a solid shot and can keep her opponents at bay with its depth and angle.

Naomi Osaka is capable of blending offense and defense in a way that few others can. While she goes after her groundstrokes, she can also put plenty of topspin and margin on them when pitted against bigger hitters.

Osaka has come to be known for her mental strength, and displays incredible composure even when put under pressure. She has registered a number of comeback wins in her short career already, and has the unique ability to play her best tennis in the biggest of moments.