Japanese player

Naomi Osaka has come out of her shy persona finally. Once known for her introverted nature and tightly-knit social circle, the Japanese WTA player shared how the birth of her daughter, Shai, sparked a shift in her perspective on life. In her latest social media post, Osaka presented a confident version of herself, highlighting that she is ready to mesmerize the tennis world with her new charm.

Osaka has channeled an interesting transformation in her personality. Although she has often been described as shy and introverted, a transition in her behavior began after the WTA star gave birth to her daughter, Shai. Returning to the court after a year-long break, Osaka revealed how she was working to socialize more. “I’m trying my best, trying to make friends. I was walking around the city the other day, and I find [observing people] so interesting. Everyone has their own stuff going on,” she said in an interview with The Guardian. Reflecting on her past self, this WTA star noted, “Before, I was in a bubble. I didn’t even really notice or take the time to see what everyone else is doing.” Osaka’s words echoed how happily she has embraced these changes, embodying a more confident version of herself.

In another display of her newfound confidence, this Japanese WTA player showcased her sponsor Nike’s exclusive Naomi Osaka holiday collection on her Instagram with a “chaotic” preview. However, what surprised people even more was the ease and confidence with which she stood in front of the camera. “Before practice, I was in my closet, and I decided I was gonna show you these wonderful Naomi X Nike collection pieces,” she said at the beginning of her reel featuring her humble yet confident voice. She then revealed a pure white Nike jacket and a black one, flashing a playful, confident expression. “Tada!“. “Oh, there’s a black version!” Osaka added, quickly correcting herself, “That’s not really a black black, it’s more of a light black, grey-black.” She then previewed a jacket she had shared on her IG story the day before, pointing out the details with excitement, “It’s an absolute slay.”

Her followers were amused by the transition in her attitude when she looked directly into the camera and asked, “Are your eyes open? Are you guys seeing what I am showing?” The confidence in her eyes was undeniable. “Nike would get mad at me for sure,” she continued further, showing a white version of the previous jacket and teasing that Osaka might be the only one with it. The Japanese player also highlighted a ribbed crop sweater, which she believed was offering a “coy” vibe. However, it wasn’t just the clothes that caught her followers’ attention but was her vibrant personality that mesmerized all.

Naomi Osaka’s journey to this confident self didn’t happen overnight. The former Grand Slam winner’s first step out of her shy shell when Osaka publicly voiced support for social causes and advocated for minorities. Despite her intention to keep things to herself, Osaka’s activism showed that she wasn’t afraid to take courageous steps when mattered most.

Naomi Osaka found her confidence while protesting about social injustice in 2020

Osaka might be known as shy but she knows how to stand up for the right. When the Black Lives Matter movement started Osaka and her partner Cordae joined the Minneapolis protest. Known as an introvert, this player wrote an article for the Esquire Magazine, where she said, “My heart ached. I felt a call to action. Enough was finally enough, I’m a daughter, a sister, a friend and a girlfriend. I’m Asian, I’m black and I’m female. I’m as normal a 22-year-old as anyone, except I happen to be good at tennis. I’ve accepted myself as just me: Naomi Osaka.” Her words echoed her spirit of supporting her community and raising a good example for those who admire her.  Reflecting on her role as a player, she added, “I was waiting and waiting and then I realised I was the one who was going to have to take the first step.” This statement showcased how the seeds of confidence were already inside her but she needed a kick to let that personality out.

Naomi Osaka’s recent social media update highlights her growth as a confident person. After years of being termed a shy and introverted person, Osaka is embracing her confident self, all thanks to her motherhood which reinstated this confidence. The way Osaka is channeling positivity, it feels in the coming season we’ll get to see some good matches. Do you think she can make it?