Naomi Osakahas undergone a stunning transformation.
In fact, Osaka defeated Serena in that open’s semi-final round.
And now Osaka wants to pay it forward and inspire the next generation.
“The blueprint was already there,” Francois said.
“I just had to follow it.”
“I grew up surrounded by both Haitian and Japanese culture,” Naomi recalled.
But for 12 years, Mari reigned victorious, often defeating the future No.
1 tennis champ 60, asThe New York Timesreported.
“Every day I’d say, ‘I’m going to beat you tomorrow.'”
But it’s cool.
I’ll get you again."
Naomi and Mari would train on public courts during the day and be home-schooled at night.
Mari still competes on the USTA pro circuit, however, and she’s currently ranked No.
335 in the world.
You tell me you’re nervous.
I tell you to picture everyone naked."
Osaka clinched the victory with a 120 mph serve, asSports Illustratedreported at the time.
“First being when I first beat my sister.
I was like, ‘Yeah, in your face.'”
1 players Maria Sharapova and Karolina Pliskova and the then-current No.
1, Simona Halep, before trouncing Daria Kasatkina in the final.
Osaka told reporters that she was very nervous at the match.
The victory also increased Osaka’s career winnings by nearly double.
But the finals match between Osaka and Williams turned out to be an emotional game for both athletes.
Later, she cried again on the podium as she accepted her trophy.
Williamstried defending Osaka, saying, “I just want to tell you guys she played well.
This is her first Grand Slam… Let’s not boo anymore.”
Naomi Osaka is the first Asian tennis player to become No.
1 in the world, asBuzzFeed Newsreported at the time.
“Thank you, everyone,” Osaka said after her win.
“I am really honored to have played in this final.”
She also commended Kvitova, saying she always wanted to play the Czech athlete.
Two weeks later, Osaka parted ways with coach Sascha Bajin.
She told reporters that they hadn’t fallen out over money, refuting the gossip at the time.
“I’m not going to sacrifice that just to keep a person around.”
In facts, he even plays his works-in-progress for her.
“But he had to warm up to me,” Osaka added.
“And I had to do a lot of pleases.
‘hey, sir, can I just hey listen to your song?’…
He’s a perfectionist, and I think that’s sort of what I am, too.
So maybe that’s why we get along.”
But in a 2020tweet, the athlete vowed to change that aspect of her personality.
“I’m done being shy.
It’s really a waste of my time,” she shared.
“I could’ve shared so many ideas by now.
I could’ve had convos with so many different people.
And she won’t make that mistake again.
“Before I am an athlete, I am a Black woman,” she wrote onTwitter.
She also praised the team for everything it’s done for diversity and equality.
Osaka also paid tribute to Bryant who tragically died in a 2020 helicopter accident in aGQinterview that same year.
While Osaka received some backlash and criticism, she stood by her decision.
“I stand by that [choice],” she wrote forTime.
“Athletes are humans.
Tennis is our privileged profession, and of course there are commitments off the court that coincide.
As time went on, Osaka learned ways to manage and maintain her mental health.
As Hana Kuma wrote onInstagramin their announcement, “She changed the history of sports forever.”
Proceeds from the book went towards Osaka’s Play Academy foundation for children (viaRomper).
The news came after Osaka had taken a few months off tennis.
