Naomi Osaka Bio
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player born on October 16, 1997, in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. She was ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 25 weeks starting in January 2019, making her the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. Osaka has won seven career singles titles, including four Grand Slam titles: two each at the Australian Open and the US Open. She is recognized as the first Japanese player to win a major singles title.
Early Life and Background
Naomi Osaka was born to Leonard François, a Haitian-American father, and Tamaki Osaka, a Japanese mother. She has an older sister, Mari, who was also a professional tennis player. The family moved to the United States when Osaka was four years old, settling in Elmont, New York. Her father was inspired to teach his daughters tennis after watching the Williams sisters compete at the 1999 French Open. Although he had little tennis experience, he emulated Richard Williams’ approach to training his daughters. Osaka began playing tennis at a young age, and her family later moved to Florida to provide better training opportunities. Osaka was homeschooled while training at public courts in Pembroke Pines.
Path to Tennis
Naomi Osaka did not compete on the ITF Junior Circuit but instead made her professional debut at the age of 14. She played her first qualifying match in October 2011 and made her main-draw debut in doubles at the 2014 Stanford Classic, where she upset world No. 19 Samantha Stosur. By 2016, she reached her first WTA final at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and entered the top 50 of the WTA rankings. Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she won her first Tour title at the Indian Wells Open and later claimed her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in the final.
Naomi Osaka Career
Early Career (2012-2015)
Osaka turned professional in 2013 and began competing on the WTA Tour. Her early years were marked by steady progress, culminating in her first WTA Tour match win at the 2014 Stanford Classic. Despite not winning another match in 2015, she continued to climb the rankings, finishing the year ranked No. 144. She showcased her potential by winning the Rising Stars Invitational at the WTA Finals in October 2015.
Breakthrough (2016-2018)
In 2016, Osaka was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year after reaching the top 50 and making her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. Her performance at the 2018 Australian Open and Indian Wells Open marked significant milestones in her career. At the US Open, she won her first major title, becoming the first Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. Her victory was notable for the on-court controversy involving Serena Williams, which brought significant media attention.
Notable Works and Milestones
Osaka’s signature works include her Grand Slam titles at the US Open and Australian Open. She has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Time 100 most influential people in the world and the 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
Naomi Osaka Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Naomi Osaka has received multiple nominations for prestigious awards, recognizing her achievements and contributions to the sport of tennis.
Naomi Osaka Awards Won
Naomi Osaka has won several awards, including the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016 and the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year in 2021. Her Grand Slam victories have solidified her status as one of the top players in women’s tennis.
Naomi Osaka Family
Naomi Osaka has a close-knit family, including her older sister Mari, who is also a professional tennis player. Her parents, Leonard François and Tamaki Osaka, played a significant role in her upbringing and tennis career.
Personal Life
Naomi Osaka has been in a relationship with American rapper Cordae since 2019. In January 2023, she announced that she was expecting her first child with Cordae. They welcomed a healthy baby girl on July 7, 2023. On January 6, 2025, Osaka announced that she and Cordae had ended their relationship but maintained a positive co-parenting dynamic.