via Reuters
Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. |REUTERS
via Reuters
Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. |REUTERS
The Japanese professional tennis player and World No. 3 Naomi Osaka recently answered some interesting Q&A’s on her Instagram account. She revealed that besides tennis her favorite sport is basketball.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is apparently a hardcore fan of the NBA champion, Los Angeles Lakers fan. It was the franchise’s first win in almost a decade.
Osaka is the defending champion of the US Open and remains the only Japanese player to win a Major. Her first title was against 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams at the US Open 2018, where she won 6-2, 6-4. She also claimed the next major at the Australian Open 2019 defeating Petra Kvitova 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.
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USA Today via Reuters
Naomi Osaka celebrates her victory over Victoria Azarenka at US Open 2020 finals.. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
“Kobe Bryant thought I was going to be great”: Osaka
During her 2020 US Open campaign, she repeatedly wore Kobe Bryant’s Laker jersey as a testimony of strength for herself. Later, she even posed wearing the same along with the winner’s trophy.
View this post on Instagram
I wore this jersey every day after my matches. I truly think it gave me strength. Always 💛💜
Kobe Bryant was a basketball legend who played for the Lakers and won five NBA Championships. He was and is considered one of the greatest of all-time athletes. He lost his life alongside his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash with seven others. Later in the press conference, Osaka said, “I just want to be the type of person that he thought I was going to be. He thought I was going to be great, so hopefully, I will be great in the future.”
Read More: “Keeping His Legacy Alive”: Naomi Osaka Vows to Make NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Proud
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Naomi Osaka?
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USA Today via Reuters
Flushing Meadows, New York, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan hits the ball against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the women’s singles final match on day 13 of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Even though there is not a lot to know about her personal life yet, the Q&A’s of the 23-year-old star helped fans to get to know her better. Like her favorite city is Tokyo in Japan and it is her older sister Mari Osaka (also a professional tennis player) who is sillier of the two.
When she was born her mother wanted to name her Leo. The World No. 3 also confessed that her favorite kit is the US Open 2019 kit.
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The current US Open champion might head to the Australian Open next where she will aim to win a fourth Grand Slam title.
Also Read: Beyonce Sends Special Wishes for US Open Champion Naomi Osaka on Her Special Day
