Osaka, Naomi (1997-…), is a Japanese professional tennis player. She is known for her powerful serve and forehand. In 2018, Osaka won her first grand slam event, defeating the American tennis player Serena Williams at the US Open. Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a grand slam title. She won the US Open again in 2020. Osaka won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Osaka was born on Oct. 16, 1997, in Osaka, Japan. When she was three years old, her family moved to the United States. She grew up in New York and Florida. Inspired by the father of American tennis players Serena and Venus Williams, Osaka’s father began training Naomi and her sister Mari in tennis at a young age. Osaka’s father feared the girls might struggle for support in the United States Tennis Association, with so many talented players. So, he decided the girls would play for Japan. Osaka and her sister joined the Japan Tennis Association.
Osaka began her professional career in 2013. She gained international recognition in the 2016 season, reaching the third round of the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. In 2018, she defeated Serena Williams in the championship match of the US Open. When she became 22 years old in 2019, Osaka stated that she would give up her U.S. citizenship. Doing so was required by Japanese law in order for her to play on the national team of Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
