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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates a point in her quarter final match against Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands during day five of the 2020 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 10, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates a point in her quarter final match against Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands during day five of the 2020 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 10, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
World number two Naomi Osaka, who has been a consistent performer on the WTA tour over the past couple of years, was awarded the Laureus Sportswoman of the year for her incredible achievements.
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Laureus awards are one of the prestigious sporting events present in the world as it recognizes top performances over a calendar year. Having won two grand slam titles back-to-back, Osaka was deservedly the right recipient of the trophy as she displayed true grit and determination, both on and off the court.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts against Angelique Kerber of Germany during their first round Women’s Singles match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Naomi Osaka hopes to impact as many people as possible
Osaka is an athlete who always speaks her mind during post-match interviews, and she is popular among fans and tennis journalists alike.
After receiving the award, the Japanese spoke humbly about what this accolade meant for her.
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“Thank you so much. I am so happy to receive this Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, and I know that for me, I have watched so many of my role models win this award growing up, so it definitely means a lot to now be holding it,” Osaka stated.
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In a selfish sport such as tennis, players like Osaka are trying to bring about a change in the way fans perceive the sport by openly speaking about issues off the court and leading change from the front.
The four-time Grand Slam winner also mentioned her future in the sport and the impact she strives to make through her tennis.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan returns the ball during her Women’s Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“Looking ahead, my main hopes for the future would just be to have helped or impacted as many people as I could. You know, if you have a platform I think it’s very important to use it,” Osaka concluded.
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Even though it took a while for Naomi Osaka to dust off her inhibitions on and off the court, it was a welcome change as she heads off to become a more consistent player on the women’s circuit after Serena Williams.
Also read: Martina Navratiova Calls Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff the Torch Bearers of a Strong Women’s Field
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