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 highly accomplished Japanese professional tennis player. She reached the world No. 1 ranking by the WTA for 25 weeks, marking the first time an Asian player achieved this top ranking in singles. Osaka's impressive career includes seven WTA Tour-level singles titles, with four of them being major titles: two Australian Open wins and two US Open victories. She is also celebrated as the first Japanese player to ever win a major singles title.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: First player to win US Open after a set down since 1994

In 2020, Naomi Osaka became the first player to win a US Open women's singles final by coming from a set down since 1994. This was her second US Open title in three years.

1995: First Japanese Player in Pan Pacific Open Final Since 1995

In 2016, Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese player to contest the final at the Pan Pacific Open since Kimiko Date in 1995. She ultimately finished as runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki and entered the top 50 of the WTA rankings for the first time.

2001: Consecutive major titles since Jennifer Capriati in 2001

Naomi Osaka was the first woman to win consecutive major singles titles since Serena Williams in 2015, and was the first player to follow up her first Grand Slam singles title with another at the next such event since Jennifer Capriati in 2001. She also became the first Asian player to be ranked No. 1 in the world in singles.

2008: Yonex Racket Sponsorship

Since 2008, the Japanese sporting equipment manufacturer Yonex has supplied Osaka with rackets. She plays with the Yonex Ezone 98 racket.

Yonex EZONE 98 Gen8 Tennis Racquet (3/8)

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October 2011: First Qualifying Match

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

2012: Semifinal at Amelia Island

In 2012, Naomi Osaka's best result of the season came at a $10k event in Amelia Island, where she reached the semifinals but lost to her sister, Mari Osaka.

June 2013: First $25k final

In June 2013, Naomi Osaka reached her first $25k final in El Paso, Texas, marking a significant milestone in her early career on the ITF Women's Circuit.

September 2013: Osaka Turns Professional

In September 2013, shortly before turning 16, Naomi Osaka officially turned professional and entered her first two qualifying draws on the WTA Tour at the Challenge Bell in Quebec and the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

2013: Reached First ITF Final

In 2013, Osaka reached her first ITF final while being coached by Patrick Tauma.

March 2014: Runner-up in Irapuato

In March 2014, Naomi Osaka finished as runner-up in Irapuato, Mexico, at a $25K level tournament, which included a victory over her sister, Mari Osaka.

2014: First WTA Tour Main Draw and Upset Victory

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

2014: Training with Harold Solomon

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

2015: Rising Stars Invitational Victory

In 2015, Naomi Osaka did not win another WTA Tour main-draw singles match but reached two high-level finals and won the Rising Stars Invitational at the WTA Finals, defeating Caroline Garcia. She also reached the final of the WTA 125 Hua Hin Championships in Thailand.

2015: Consecutive major titles since Serena Williams in 2015

2016: Loss at US Open and New Coach

Following her loss at the 2016 US Open, where she failed to convert a 5-1 lead in the third set, the Japan Tennis Association helped Osaka arrange for David Taylor to become her new coach.

2016: First Career WTA Final

In 2016, Osaka reached her first career WTA final at the Pan Pacific Open, marking a notable instance where her strategy of winning long rallies proved successful.

2016: Avenge Tough Loss From 2016 US Open

In 2018, during the US Open, Naomi Osaka was drawn against Madison Keys in the semifinals, and was able to avenge her tough loss from the 2016 US Open to advance to the final.

2016: IMG Representation

Since 2016, Osaka has been represented by the IMG management company.

2017: Switched Coaches to Sascha Bajin

After the 2017 season, Osaka switched coaches to Sascha Bajin, who had previously worked with Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki.

2017: Steady Ranking but No Career High

In 2017, Naomi Osaka maintained a steady ranking but did not set a new career-high. She rose no higher than No. 44 and fell no lower than No. 68, her year-end ranking. She did not win more than two main draw matches at any event all year.

2017: Fed Cup Debut for Japan

In 2017, Osaka debuted in the Fed Cup for Japan, competing in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I. The team won all nine of their rubbers to advance, but failed to advance further after the play-off against Kazakhstan. Osaka won her singles match.

2017: Hiring Sascha Bajin as Coach

In the off-season following her lack of improvement in 2017, Naomi Osaka hired Sascha Bajin to be her coach, a decision that would lead to significant improvements in her performance.

2018: First Major Title at US Open

In 2018, Naomi Osaka won her first major title at the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in the final. The match was overshadowed by a dispute between Williams and the umpire. Osaka became the first Japanese woman to contest a major singles final and win a Grand Slam singles championship.

2018: Breakthrough Season

In 2018, Osaka credited improving her mental approach and cutting down on unforced errors for her breakthrough season. She noted her improved mental game and consistency at the Wuhan Open.

2018: Hopman Cup Debut

In 2018, Osaka made her Hopman Cup debut with Yūichi Sugita. Japan lost all three of their ties. Osaka's only match win came in singles against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She also served an ace past Roger Federer in the mixed doubles match against Switzerland.

2018: Japan Advances to World Group II Play-offs

In 2018, with Osaka absent, Japan defeated Kazakhstan in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I to advance to the 2018 World Group II Play-offs.

2019: Naomi Osaka (2019 – 25 w)

In 2019, Naomi Osaka had 25 weeks as number 1.

2019: Promotion to World Group II

In 2019, Osaka returned to the Fed Cup team and won her opening match against Heather Watson, contributing to Japan's promotion to World Group II.

2019: Split with Sascha Bajin

Shortly after her 2019 Australian Open title, Osaka split with her coach Sascha Bajin and hired Jermaine Jenkins.

2019: Nike Sponsorship

Since 2019, Nike has been Osaka's apparel sponsor, replacing Adidas. She has a clothing collection with Nike featuring her monogram logo.

2020: Lost in the third round at the Olympics

At the 2020 Olympics, Naomi Osaka's performance ended in the third round.

2020: Hired Wim Fissette as Coach

At the start of the 2020 season, 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 and ended her season due to a hamstring injury.

2020: Activism and Protests

In 2020, Osaka withdrew from the Cincinnati Open to raise awareness for the shooting of Jacob Blake, leading to the postponement of ATP and WTA matches. She also wore masks with names of African Americans killed by police at the US Open and attended protests for George Floyd.

January 2021: Brand Ambassador Roles

In January 2021, Osaka was named brand ambassador for Tag Heuer watches and Louis Vuitton. She appeared in Louis Vuitton's Spring-Summer 2021 campaign.

March 2021: Spoke Out Against Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

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

May 2021: Refusal to Participate in Press Conferences at French Open

In May 2021, Naomi Osaka refused to participate in the required press conferences during the French Open, resulting in a $15,000 fine and a threat of expulsion from the tournament.

June 2021: Panasonic Brand Ambassador

In June 2021, Panasonic announced the signing of Osaka as a brand ambassador, promoting the "Panasonic Green Impact" initiative.

September 2021: Loss at US Open and Indefinite Break

In September 2021, Naomi Osaka lost to Leylah Fernandez at the US Open. During the match, she threw her racket multiple times and received a code violation. Following the match, Osaka announced she was taking an indefinite break from tennis and started therapy.

2021: Expiration of IMG contract

At the end of 2021, Naomi Osaka's contract with IMG expired and the renewal talks stalled.

2021: Co-ownership of North Carolina Courage

In 2021, Naomi Osaka became a co-owner of the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League.

2021: Drop in WTA Ranking

In 2021, Naomi Osaka dropped 71 spots in the WTA rankings to No. 85 following tournament absences.

2021: Naomi Osaka withdraws in Second Round 2021 French Open

In 2021, Naomi Osaka withdraws in the Second Round of 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, alongside Roger Federer and Monica Seles.

May 2022: Departure from IMG and Formation of Evolve

In May 2022, Naomi Osaka announced her departure from IMG after six years and her partnership with agent Stuart Duguid to form her own sports agency, Evolve.

June 20, 2022: Signing Nick Kyrgios as First Client

On June 20, 2022, Naomi Osaka announced that she had signed Nick Kyrgios as her first client for her new sports agency, Evolve.

2022: Launch of Hana Kuma

In 2022, Naomi Osaka and Stuart Duguid launched Hana Kuma, a media and production company, initially in partnership with TheSpringHill Company.

2022: Established Sports Management Agency

In 2022, Osaka left IMG to set up her own sports management agency, Evolve, alongside her agent, Stuart Duguid.

2023: Hana Kuma Spin-off

In 2023, Hana Kuma, the media and production company founded by Naomi Osaka and Stuart Duguid, spun off independently after a $5 million fundraising round.