Naomi Osaka's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Naomi Osaka. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Naomi Osaka is a highly successful Japanese professional tennis player, achieving the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles for 25 weeks starting in January 2019, making her the first Asian player to reach this milestone. She has secured seven career singles titles, including four Grand Slam victories: two at the Australian Open and two at the US Open. Notably, she is the first Japanese player ever to win a major singles title, solidifying her place in tennis history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2014: WTA Tour Debut

In 2014, Naomi Osaka, at the age of 16, made her WTA Tour debut and gained prominence by defeating former US Open champion Samantha Stosur at the Stanford Classic.

2014: First WTA Main Draw and Upset Victory

In the summer of 2014, Naomi Osaka qualified for her first WTA Tour main draw at the Stanford Classic, upsetting world No. 19, Samantha Stosur.

2015: Rising in Rankings and Exhibition Win

In 2015, Naomi Osaka continued to improve her rankings, reaching two high-level finals and winning the Rising Stars Invitational at the WTA Finals by defeating Caroline Garcia.

2016: First WTA Final

In 2016, Naomi Osaka reached her first WTA final at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and entered the top 50 of the WTA rankings.

2018: WTA Coach of the Year for Sascha Bajin

In 2018, Bajin was named the inaugural WTA Coach of the Year.

2018: First Tour Title and US Open Win

In 2018, Naomi Osaka won her first Tour title at the Indian Wells Open and defeated Serena Williams in the final of the US Open.

2018: US Open Victory Over Serena Williams

In 2018, Naomi Osaka won her first major title at the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in a match marred by controversy.

January 2019: Ranked World No. 1

In January 2019, Naomi Osaka was ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the WTA, holding the top ranking for 25 weeks and becoming the first Asian player to achieve this milestone.

2019: Endorsement Earnings in 2019

In 2019, Naomi Osaka earned an estimated $16 million in endorsements alone, placing her second among female athletes behind Serena Williams.

2019: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2019, Naomi Osaka was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2019: Named to Time 100 List

In 2019, Naomi Osaka was named to the Time 100 list for representing professional tennis well as an excellent role model and a major champion.

2019: Australian Open Win and World No. 1 Ranking

In early 2019, Naomi Osaka won the Australian Open, reaching the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.

2020: Highest-Paid Female Athlete of All Time

In 2020, Naomi Osaka became the highest-paid female athlete of all time, earning $37.4 million, including $34 million in endorsements.

2020: Activism and Recognition

In 2020, Naomi Osaka ranked eighth among athletes in endorsement income, becoming the highest-earning female athlete. She supported the Black Lives Matter protests and was named one of the Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year. Also, she was included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2020: Named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year and Time 100 Most Influential People

In 2020, Naomi Osaka was named a Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year for her activism alongside other prominent athletes. She was also honored as one of the Time 100 most influential people in the world in 2020 for her activism.

2020: US Open Victory

In 2020, Naomi Osaka won the US Open, becoming the first player since 1994 to win the women's singles final after coming from a set down.

2021: Miami Open Final

In 2021, Naomi Osaka reached her first final since the 2021 Australian Open at the Miami Open, defeating Belinda Bencic in the semifinals. Ranked 77th, she became the lowest-ranked finalist in the tournament's history but lost to Iga Świątek in the final.

2021: Laureus Award and Olympic Cauldron Lighting

In 2021, Naomi Osaka was the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and became the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

2021: Second Australian Open Title

In 2021, Naomi Osaka won her second Australian Open title, achieving straight-set wins in multiple matches and defeating Jennifer Brady in the final.

2021: First Title Since 2021 Australian Open

Naomi Osaka achieved her first title since the 2021 Australian Open at the WTA 125 Open de Saint-Malo tournament, marking her first tournament victory on clay.