Naomi Osaka Pays Tribute to Rapper Tupac Shakur Following Early Exit at US Open 2022

Naomi Osaka has always been a free-spirited personality. Never shying away from expressing her true self, the young star has risen to the stature of a youth icon. Despite receiving worldwide recognition, Osaka’s humility stays intact. And so can be seen often, especially as she fangirls over her idols.

The Japanese tennis professional has always openly expressed her love for singers such as Rihanna and Michael Jackson. Similarly, from time to time, she displays her liking and adoration for the famous rapper late Tupac Shakur.

Naomi Osaka remembers Tupac Shakur

Recently, the four-time Grand Slam champion took on Instagram, and along with sharing pictures of her day out, paid homage to Tupac Shakur. She shared one of his quotes that she resonates with and captioned it with a green and black heat emoticon.

Osaka wore a light yellow-colored dress and paired it with a black jacket, a back cap, and a gold-chained black purse. Speaking of outfits, after her marvelous victory at the 2020 US Open, she remembered the singer by adding the Tupac Shakur sweater to her orange patterned dress. She balanced the sweater and dress with a beautiful printed scarf.

Read more: ‘I Felt Very Anxious’- Naomi Osaka Says She Does Not Want To Lose in the First Round of the US Open 2022

Further, Shakur, famously known as 2Pac, started his career around 1989. Apart from identifying as a hip-hop artist and an actor, he also contributed to the betterment of society. The rapper addressed contemporary social issues and is still regarded as the symbol of activism against inequality.

Osaka in the American swing

The two times US Open champion has had a rough year. The only noteworthy run from her end came in the summer doubles. Where, after being poked by an analytical pick, she played for the title at Miami. Though she failed to outclass the World no.1 Iga Swiatek in the finals and following that her career graph took a serious dip.

Osaka first took an opening round exit in the French Open and then skipped the Wimbledon Championships. Even when she made the comeback, nothing really changed. As she again packed her bags in the first round of all three big events of the American swing.

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In Toronto, Kaia Kanepi walked her out whereas, in Cincinnati Masters, 33-year-old Zhang Shuai got the better of her. Coming to the Grand Slam, American Danielle Collins thrashed her in straight sets of 7- 6 (5) 6-3.