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10 Smashing Facts About Tennis Phenom Naomi Osaka
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Naomi Osaka is simultaneously one of the most intimidating and most relatable players in women’s tennis right now. On one hand, she’s a two-time Grand Slam winner who in one year made a whopping $37.4 million in prize money and sponsorships, making her the highest-paid female athlete in history. On the other hand, she’s a hilarious 22-year-old who loves video games and memes and spends as much time on Twitter and TikTok as any other person her age. Whether you’re a casual viewer of tennis or mark the major tournaments in your calendar, here are 10 fun facts you may not know about one of the sport’s biggest stars.
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She Was First Coached by Her Dad
Though she’s now coached by Wim Fissette – who has worked with tennis greats including Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, and Angelique Kerber – Osaka first began playing tennis under her dad Leonard François, who used a similar model to that of Serena and Venus Williams’s father, training both Osaka and her sister Mari, starting at the age of 3.
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There's a Barbie Made in Her Image
In 2019, Barbie released a line of dolls celebrating extraordinary women, including Osaka. In an Instagram post, she described the experience as “surreal,” having played with Barbies herself as a little girl, but said she was honored to “help inspire the next generation of girls.”
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She Has Had Some Amazing Mentors
Osaka has made deep and personal connections with some of the greatest athletes of all time. She has referred to Serena Williams as her “mom” and the late Kobe Bryant as her “big bro.” Before his death, Bryant texted Osaka after matches, especially losses, to help her remain confident. “There would be some really tough losses. I didn’t even know he was paying attention, but he would text me positive things and tell me to learn from it,” she told WSJ Magazine. “For me, it was definitely helpful.”