Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis ace, went through some rough patches in the year 2021. She was dealing with issues regarding her mental well-being and opted to stay out of major events, such as the French Open and Wimbledon.

However, Osaka’s break from the sport helped her advance in a different field. So much so that she even represented her community at just 23.

Osaka takes the lead

The four-time Grand Slam champion while on a break, modeled for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. With the assistance of Yu Tsai, a renowned photographer, she became the first black female athlete to feature on the cover page of the magazine.

“I wouldn’t have thought that I would have been the first one,” Osaka confessed in an interview with Tyra Banks. Notably, Banks was the first black woman to star on the cover of the magazine.

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Thereafter, she added, “I’m glad that this barrier is being broken. I hope there are many, many more people to come, and I’m sure there will be.”

‘Feel Uncomfortable..’ – Naomi Osaka’s Mother Reveals Brutal Hardships Faced While Coaching Her Daughter

Further, Osaka wore a Norma Kamali swimwear and paired it with earrings from Beads by Cowrie for one of the three covers of the magazine’s swimsuit issue.

What is Naomi Osaka up to?

The two times US Open champion, after giving a subpar performance in the clay and sitting out of the grass court season, is gearing up for the American hard-court swing. She has given apt time to her foot injury’s recovery and is all set for some hard court action. Osaka has enrolled for the WTA 1000 event based in Toronto.

Watch this story: When Naomi Osaka encountered difficult interaction with the press

The Japanese will lock horns with the Estonian tennis professional Kaia Kanepi in the opening round of the event. She will meet the former World no.15 in Centre Court on 9th August for the second time with a goal of settling the score.

They first squared off in the third round of 2017 US Open and Osaka got outclassed by Kanepi in sets of 3-6, 6-2, 5-7. Will the former World no.1 be able to avenge her defeat in the Canadian Open?