Bad News Looming for Naomi Osaka

All tennis players begin training at an early age and Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka is no different. However, it seems that the World Number 1’s past has come back to haunt her. As it turns out, the tennis coach who worked with her when she was 13 has filed a lawsuit. He claimed that her father penned a contract promising him 20% of her career earnings.

The man in question is Christophe Jean, according to him, Naomi’s father, Leonard Francois, hired him to work with Naomi and her sister, Mari, back in 2011.

Jean’s allegation was that Francois couldn’t pay his rates at the time, so they struck a deal. The deal supposedly states that Jean is entitled to 20% of Naomi and Mari’s tennis prize money and endorsement deals for the rest of their careers.

Jean alleges that he has a copy of the contract where Francois agreed that the deal’s term is “indefinite”. Christophe filed the suit in the state court in Florida.

According to the official WTA website, she has earned more than $10.8 million during her career, excluding endorsement money.

If Jean had his way, he would earn at least $2 million and it explains why he’s suing Naomi, Mari and Leonard.

However, Alex Spiro, the attorney for the Osaka family has rubbished such claims. He said, “While it comes as no surprise that Naomi’s meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration could lead to false claim, this silly contract that Naomi Osaka never saw or signed – which purports to give away part of herself at the age of 14 – is particularly absurd. This case has no merit and we will move past it.”

As of now, Naomi Osaka and her sister Mari are preparing for the second leg of the Sunshine Double in Miami. Naomi heads into the tournament as the World Number 1 and Mari has been granted a wildcard.