7 Lesser-Known Facts About Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is a name synonymous with tennis excellence, cultural influence, and social activism. As a four-time Grand Slam champion and the first Asian player to reach the world No. 1 ranking in singles, her achievements on the court are widely celebrated. However, beyond her powerful serves and Grand Slam titles, there are intriguing aspects of her life and personality that remain under the radar.

Here are seven lesser-known facts about Naomi that shed light on her multifaceted character and journey.

1. She was homeschooled to focus on tennis

While many professional athletes balance school and sports, Naomi’s path was unconventional from an early age. After moving to the United States from Japan at age three, her family settled in Long Island, New York, and later Florida. Her father, Leonard François, inspired by Richard Williams (father of Serena and Venus Williams), took charge of her tennis training. To maximize her practice time, Naomi and her older sister Mari were homeschooled after elementary school. Enrolled in a virtual high school program, Naomi trained during the day and studied at night, a schedule that allowed her to hone her skills without the constraints of a traditional classroom. This dedication paid off when she turned pro in 2013 at just 15 years old, bypassing much of the junior circuit to compete at higher levels early on.

2. She’s a video game enthusiast with a soft spot for skyrim

Despite her fierce competitiveness on the tennis court, Naomi is a self-proclaimed introvert who finds solace in quieter hobbies—particularly video games. One of her favorites is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, an open-world role-playing game she’s cited as a go-to for unwinding. She’s also known to play Overwatch, a team-based multiplayer shooter, often alongside her sister Mari for hours after training. Interestingly, while she’s aggressive on the court, Naomi prefers playing as a healer or defensive character in Overwatch, showcasing a gentler side of her personality. Her love for gaming even extends to Pokémon, a nod to her Japanese roots, and she’s attended gaming events to connect with that community.

3. She has a quirky sense of humor inspired by memes

Naomi’s press conferences often reveal a dry, playful wit that catches reporters off guard. Her humor is heavily influenced by internet culture and memes, making her relatable to younger fans. For instance, after a match in 2019, she described her confusion about winning a point by referencing the “Caveman SpongeBob” meme, saying she felt “sort of like Caveman SpongeBob” when she didn’t realize the match was over. In another interview, when asked about her career goals after winning at the 2016 Australian Open, she quoted the Pokémon theme song: “to be the very best, like no one ever was.” This blend of pop culture savvy and deadpan delivery has earned her a reputation for “Naomi-bushi” (Naomi-esque) speech in Japan, a term nominated for a 2018 buzzword award.

4. She designed a UNICEF mask with her sister during the pandemic

Naomi’s creativity extends beyond tennis and gaming into design, particularly when it serves a cause. In July 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she teamed up with her sister Mari, a former professional tennis player, to design a limited-edition face mask. Featuring a playful, colorful design, the mask’s proceeds went entirely to UNICEF Japan’s relief efforts for children affected by the crisis. This project highlighted her artistic side—Mari is known for her sketching skills—and her commitment to giving back. It also foreshadowed her later activism at the 2020 US Open, where she wore masks honoring Black victims of racial injustice, further cementing her role as a socially conscious athlete.

5. Her first meeting with boyfriend Cordae was purely by chance

Naomi’s relationship with Grammy-nominated rapper Cordae (formerly YBN Cordae) began serendipitously at a Los Angeles Clippers game in 2019. At the time, Cordae admitted he knew little about tennis beyond the Williams sisters and didn’t recognize Naomi, who was already a rising star. Their connection grew organically after initial phone interactions, and Cordae has since become one of her biggest supporters, attending her matches and even pausing his own career to be by her side during tough moments, like the isolating 2020 US Open “bubble.” Naomi has praised his romantic gestures, noting in a GQ interview that he’s a “romantic dude” who goes out of his way to lift her spirits. The couple welcomed their daughter, Shai, in July 2023, though they announced their amicable split in January 2025.

6. She learned creole from her haitian grandparents

Naomi’s multicultural background—born to a Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka, and a Haitian father, Leonard François—shapes much of her identity. While she’s fluent in English and conversational in Japanese (which she speaks with her mother), she also picked up some Haitian Creole from her paternal grandparents. After moving to Long Island at age three, she spent significant time with her Haitian relatives, absorbing elements of their language and culture. Though not fluent, her exposure to Creole adds another layer to her linguistic repertoire, alongside her Japanese heritage and American upbringing. Naomi has said she doesn’t feel tethered to one culture over another, simply stating, “I just feel like me,” embracing her unique blend of identities.

7. She owns a piece of a professional soccer team

In 2021, Naomi expanded her influence beyond tennis by becoming a co-owner of the North Carolina Courage, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This investment made her one of the youngest professional sports team owners at the time, at just 23 years old. Her decision was driven by a desire to support women’s sports and inspire the next generation of athletes, particularly young girls. “The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today,” she said in a statement, emphasizing her commitment to paying it forward.