‘Became Something Larger Than Tennis’ – Naomi Osaka’s Business Partner Lauds Her Profound Socio-cultural Impact Beyond the Court

Naomi Osaka‘s contribution to tennis cannot be limited to her on-court ventures. Despite winning four major titles, the former world number 1 is known more for her off-court endeavors. She was one of the first players to speak up about mental health issues. The four-time major champion alongside the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Ons Jabeur paved the way for other tennis players to open up about their mental health problems.

Recently, Stuart Duguid, co-founder of Evolve along with Naomi Osaka, talks about the impact of Osaka and the above-mentioned players. He mainly spoke about the impact they had outside the court which is not just restricted to their racket skills

Duguid highlights Naomi Osaka’s contribution to tennis

When speaking about his business partner, Staurt Duguid was in complete admiration. He did not forget to laud Kyrgios and Jabuer at the same time. Duguid said via PTPA “All these three players ( Osaka, Kyrgios, and Jabeur) are great examples in their own way. The impact Naomi’s had obviously on mental health and in North America on kind of race relations and the heat of the George Floyd summer, I think was incredible. You know when she wore her masks and won the US Open? I think that was like really opened her eyes to be like, wow. I think she had no idea of how much of an impact it would have. And I think that became something larger than tennis.”

Duguid spoke beyond mental health problems and said that Osaka’s impact on matters like race relations has an impact even outside tennis. He was particularly impressed by Osaka’s US Open 2020 mask tributes.

What was Osaka’s mask tribute about?

Naomi Osaka wore a different mask to each of her seven matches during her historic US Open 2020 title run. Each mask carried names of black Americans who faced racial injustice by the authorities of the United States. The former world number 1 was hailed by celebrities all across the globe for her move. She also received a message from a victim’s mother, thanking Osaka for representing her son.

Osaka’s move built plenty of awareness all over the world. The 2020 US Open run cemented her legacy as a tennis icon for both on and off court endeavors.

READ MORE: Months of Staying Away From the Public Eye, Pregnant Naomi Osaka Breaks the Habit as She Teases Exciting News for Fans With a 30-Second Glimpse

Do you think more tennis players should be inspired by Osaka and speak up against injustice? Let us know in the comments.

WATCH THIS STORY | Following Successive Frustrating Losses, Coco Gauff Reveals Career Phase that Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Had to Live Through