Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Naomi Osaka

Discover the career path of Naomi Osaka, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Naomi Osaka is a prominent Japanese professional tennis player. She achieved the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles for 25 weeks, a historic first for an Asian player. Her accomplishments include seven WTA Tour-level singles titles, notably four Grand Slam titles, with two wins each at the Australian Open and the US Open. Osaka is celebrated as the first Japanese player to ever win a major singles title, marking a significant milestone in her career and for Japanese tennis.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 2011: First Qualifying Match

In October 2011, Naomi Osaka played her first qualifying match on the ITF Women's Circuit on her 14th birthday, marking the beginning of her professional tennis career.

June 2013: First $25K Level Final

In June 2013, Naomi Osaka reached her first $25K level final at a tournament in El Paso, Texas, marking a significant milestone in her early professional career.

September 2013: Turned Professional

In September 2013, Naomi Osaka turned professional shortly before her 16th birthday, marking a significant step in her tennis career.

2013: Reached First ITF Final

In 2013, Naomi Osaka, coached by Patrick Tauma, reached her first ITF final after she began playing on the ITF Women's Circuit.

March 2014: Final in Irapuato, Mexico

In March 2014, Naomi Osaka reached another $25K level final in Irapuato, Mexico. The event included a victory over her sister, Mari Osaka.

2014: WTA Tour Main Draw Debut

In 2014, Naomi Osaka qualified for her first WTA Tour main draw at the Stanford Classic, where she upset world No. 19 Samantha Stosur. She also won a match as a wildcard at the Japan Women's Open.

2014: Training with Harold Solomon

In 2014, Naomi Osaka spent seven months training at an academy run by Harold Solomon, where she defeated Sam Stosur for her first WTA match win.

2015: Rising Stars Invitational Champion

In 2015, Osaka reached two high-level finals and won the Rising Stars Invitational, defeating Caroline Garcia. She also reached the final of the WTA 125 Hua Hin Championships.

2016: New Coach David Taylor

Following her loss at the 2016 US Open, the Japan Tennis Association helped arrange for David Taylor to become Naomi Osaka's new coach.

2017: Switched coaches to Sascha Bajin

After the 2017 season, Naomi Osaka switched coaches to Sascha Bajin, who had previously served as a hitting partner to top players.

2017: Fed Cup debut for Japan

In 2017, Naomi Osaka made her Fed Cup debut for Japan. During the 2017 competition, the team won all nine of their rubbers to advance out of their round-robin pool. Though Osaka won her singles match in the play-off against Kazakhstan, the team lost their other two matches and was not able to advance.

2018: Fed Cup competition

In 2018, Japan defeated Kazakhstan in the Fed Cup to advance to the 2018 World Group II Play-offs, Osaka was absent. In this stage, Japan hosted Great Britain, Osaka returned to the team and won her opening match against Heather Watson. After she lost her next rubber to Johanna Konta, Kurumi Nara also defeated Watson to set up a decisive doubles match. Japan won that final rubber to earn promotion to World Group II.

2018: Hopman Cup Debut

In 2018, Naomi Osaka made her Hopman Cup debut with Yūichi Sugita, marking Japan's first appearance at the exhibition tournament since 2001. During the competition in 2018, the team was grouped with Switzerland, the United States, and Russia, losing all three ties. Osaka secured her only match win in singles against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and notably served an ace past Roger Federer in a mixed doubles match against Switzerland.

2018: US Open Victory

In 2018, Naomi Osaka won the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in the final. This victory marked her first major title, though the match was marred by controversy.

2019: Promotion to World Group II

In 2019, Japan earned promotion to World Group II in the Fed Cup after winning a decisive doubles match against Great Britain in the 2018 World Group II Play-offs.

2019: Split with Sascha Bajin

Shortly after her 2019 Australian Open title, Naomi Osaka split with Sascha Bajin and hired Jermaine Jenkins as her new coach from March until October. She temporarily replaced him with her father in September.

2020: Lost in third round at Olympics

At the 2020 Olympics, Naomi Osaka lost in the third round.

2020: Hired Wim Fissette as coach

At the start of the 2020 season, Naomi Osaka hired Wim Fissette as her coach.

2020: Second US Open Title

In 2020, Naomi Osaka won her second US Open title, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final after coming from a set down. She skipped the French Open due to a hamstring injury.

2020: Activism in Professional Tennis

Naomi Osaka became a leading activist in professional tennis in 2020. Her decision to withdraw from the 2020 Cincinnati Open to raise awareness for the police shooting of Jacob Blake led to the tournament's postponement. At the 2020 US Open, she wore masks displaying the names of African Americans killed, highlighting Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile, and Tamir Rice.

March 2021: Spoke out against anti-Asian hate crimes

In March 2021, Naomi Osaka spoke out against anti-Asian hate crimes.

May 2021: Refused press conferences and withdrew from French Open

In May 2021, Naomi Osaka refused to take part in required press conferences during the French Open and was fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion from the tournament. She later withdrew from the event to restore her mental health and well-being.

September 2021: Lost at US Open and took indefinite break

In September 2021 at the US Open, Naomi Osaka lost to Leylah Fernandez. During the match, she threw her racket three times and received a code violation. She then announced she was taking an indefinite break from the sport.

2021: Withdrew from French Open

In 2021, Naomi Osaka withdrew before 2nd round at the French Open.

2021: Second Australian Open Title

In 2021, Naomi Osaka won her second Australian Open title, defeating Jennifer Brady in the final. She became one of only three players in the Open Era to win her first four Grand Slam finals.