Naomi Osaka is a famous tennis player. At just 20 years old, she has accomplished so much in the sport of tennis. Osaka has demonstrated dominance on the court by winning 2 grand slam titles and was bestowed with the prestigious title of being the first Japanese player to win a grand slam championship. She is currently ranked as the second-best female tennis player in the world! Let’s explore her incredible accomplishments and what might await her future.
The first Japanese tennis player to win a grand slam
At just 20, Osaka is already the winner of 2 grand slam titles and has been ranked as the second-best female tennis player in the world. In 2018, Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a grand slam championship by taking home the US Open tournament. This tournament was one of her most impressive given that it lasted nearly five hours long and she was able to defeat her opponent Serena Williams who had held the tournament for two decades. Additionally, after winning the US Open tournament, she was given the title of being World No. 2 female tennis player. She is set to play at the Australian Open – a tournament that will take place in January 2019.
Osaka’s origins
Osaka was born in Japan to a Japanese father and Haitian mother. Osaka’s father used to play tennis professionally overseas and consequently, Osaka soon got into the game. She first started playing tennis at a professional level when she was three years old and by age 13, she had won her first exhibition matches against opponents who were 20-30 years older than her.
In 2009, Osaka won the little sister category of the World Championships of Tennis for both singles and doubles competitions. In 2012, she became the youngest player to win a title on Japan’s ITF Junior Circuit. In 2013, she became the youngest player to win a WTA Tour event – this being the 25th Istanbul Cup title.
Her height
She is 5’11” which makes her taller than Serena Williams, who is 5’9″. Her height could be attributed to her father’s side of the family as he comes from a long line of tall people. Even though she doesn’t have any siblings, she still stands out among all the other players because of her height.
Osaka’s coach and training
Osaka trains for and plays tennis for at least 9 hours per day, including wet and dry training. Osaka’s coach, Sascha Bajin, has played a vital role in her success. He was formerly coached by Serena Williams and had the knowledge of what it takes to make it to the top. When asked about his coaching style with Osaka, he stated “I go for individualized practice” and his emphasis on mastery over performance. This focus on mastery over performance is something that Osaka attributes for her continued success in the sport of tennis. She feels that this helps her be more composed and confident when playing against tougher opponents and she has found that she has been able to withstand pressure better than before.
Interesting facts about her
Her family is Japanese, Haitian, and American. She started playing tennis professionally at the age of three. Her favorite food is ramen noodles with egg and seaweed; her favorite color is blue; her favorite subject in school was math – she even took some courses online while competing for Japan at the 2016 Olympics. She’s fluent in English, French, and Japanese.
Conclusion
All in all, this amazing tennis player is an example of hard work and talent. Her achievements at such young age are proof that with the training you can make everything come true. Osaka is an inspiration for young female tennis player, especially for those coming from Japan.
