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Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates in her Women’s Semi Final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
via Getty
Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates in her Women’s Semi Final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
As one of the most influential athletes of 2020, the popularity of Japanese professional Naomi Osaka is growing exponentially. Besides winning her 3 Grand Slam at the US Open this year, the 23 years-old was celebrated outside the tennis court as well. Now, she has won the Vogue Japan Women of the Year award against five other contestants.
The former World No. 1 withdrew from the 2020 tennis season after her win at Flushing Meadows. On account of health risks amidst the pandemic outbreak, she played fewer matches but managed a 16/3 win/loss ratio. This cost her the chance of becoming World No. 1 again, and she ended the year at Number 3.
But it is her fighting spirit on and off the court that separates her from the crowd. Vogue Japan Women of the Year celebrates women who despite the challenges stood up for the sport and the society. Therefore, Naomi will find herself on the first page in their February 2021 issue. Vogue Japan tweeted, “Announcement of “VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year 2020″, the most brilliant women of 2020. Naomi Osaka won the award! Congratulations.”
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Osaka is the only Asian to hold the Number 1 position in singles’
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: Naomi Osaka of Japan returns the ball during her Women’s Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The Japanese player is the leading face of the new generation of women’s tennis players. She surpassed two former World No. 1 and one former World No. 2 to win her three Grand Slam titles. Naomi won her first major tournament title against her new rival American Serena Williams at the 2018 US Open.
Read More: “I Wouldn’t Be Here”: Naomi Osaka Credits Serena Williams for Inspiring Her to Play Tennis
Moving forward, she collected one Grand Slam each year, starting from 2018 to 2020. Being on the top allowed Naomi to voice her character, and it received positive feedback. Elated with the Japanese’ overall personality, tennis fans consider her among the greats already.
Off the court, Naomi introduced her first apparel line in collaboration with Nike honoring her multicultural background. In addition to fashion, she also inspired a manga comic after her ethnic diversity and her fierce persona.
Read More: All You Need To Know About Naomi Osaka’s New Nike Collection
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Naomi Osaka ready for Australian Open 2021
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup following victory in her Women’s Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
As Vogue Japan Women of the Year, the reigning US Open champion will start next season with much more confidence. After failing to defend her Australian Open title this year, Naomi will aim to regain it in 2021. Among other season goals, she will aim to get back her top position in the world.
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Osaka’s confidence itself shows that she has a long career in tennis.
Also Read: Naomi Osaka Trains with Former World No.2 Ahead of Australian Open 2021 Preparations
