“Really Big Honor For Me”: Naomi Osaka Thrilled to See Marcus Rashford Showcasing her Logo

A picture of Rashford has gone viral on social media showing the ace striker wearing a beanie engraved with the initials ‘NO’. Women’s tennis superstar Naomi Osaka opened up on England and Manchester United soccer star Marcus Rashford sporting one of her signature merchandise.

The image came as a glowing affirmation on Osaka’s rising stock as a champion not just on a tennis court but also off it.

A picture went viral showing soccer star Marcus Rashford sporting a beanie Naomi Osaka’s initials

Currently ranked Number 2 in singles, the Japanese did her burgeoning reputation no harm by clinching her second Australian Open title this year. In the process, she became only the second woman since Maria Sharapova to win four Grand Slam trophies.

With her rise in the women’s game, brand ‘Naomi Osaka’ has also reached stratospheric heights, with top brands jostling to have her on their endorsement books.

The 23-year-old Japanese, who rose from one of many aspiring tennis stars to fame, fandom and riches in the sport, has emerged as a role model for many.

On her rising fandom, even among soccer stars, Osaka said, “For me, I feel like I’m living my life. So I can’t really observe it from an outside point of view.”

However, she added that she was delighted to see an “athlete” of Rashford’s standing sporting her “Nike stuff”.

Naomi Osaka says she’d never seen such a famous athlete wear her “Nike stuff” before

The beanie is part of the global merchandise that has been designed by the sportswear giant, her apparel partner.

“It was really cool to see him wearing the beanie, because I’ve never really seen a famous athlete wear my Nike stuff before,” the World Number 2 said.

“It was a really big honor for me,” she said, adding that she was “super happy”.

Osaka outgunned her idol and 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, on the way to lifting the Australian Open this year. The semi-final loss consigned the 39-year-old American to yet another fruitless Grand Slam and short of the legendary Margaret Court’s career tally of Major trophies.

Read More: Naomi Osaka Feels She Isn’t a Brand Like Roger Federer and Serena Williams

The Japanese launched her Miami Open campaign with a straight-set win over promising Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.