Fans who thought Naomi Osaka was defined by tennis and fashion were sorely mistaken. The four-time Grand Slam champion is an activist and outspoken advocate for women’s rights.
Osaka was forced to miss the Pan Pacific Open due to a back injury, but still continued to travel to Japan to fulfill a series of important obligations.
Nike recently hosted the Coach the Dream Summit at its world headquarters in Tokyo, Paris, and Oregon to connect partners, coaching professionals, and communities who are driving the future of youth sports and the next chapter of inclusive youth sports coaching. We gathered leaders.
The Coach the Dream Summit reflects Nike’s commitment to more than 100 global organizations that provide children with opportunities to access and benefit from play and sport. One of those organizations is Naomi Osaka’s Play Academy. The organization launched five years ago in Tokyo and has since expanded to Los Angeles, Haiti, and Osaka, Japan.
The tennis icon is at the heart of the success of her eponymous program, which aims to ensure women and girls have the personal agency to be themselves and build their futures. says that a high-quality coach is the best.
“Play Academy aims to change the lives of girls through play and sport, but we can’t do that without great coaches,” Osaka says. “We are thrilled to work with Nike to inspire the next generation to reach their potential through the power of movement.”
Nike and Laureus Sports for Good launch a new research-backed coaching guide designed specifically for coaches in Japan, marking the brand’s latest commitment to removing barriers to girls’ play and sport .
This guide provides skills and tools to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for girls in sport by shifting social and cultural mindsets around the important role exercise plays in girls’ development and mental health. The purpose is to provide knowledge to coaches.
Osaka has spent the most successful period of her career as a Nike athlete. In 2019, Osaka signed a multi-year contract with Nike worth $10 million annually, expiring in 2025.
In addition to her signature shoe and apparel collection, Osaka often uses the tennis court as a runway to debut some of the sport’s most fashionable outfits. But her most important work is done in the community.
Osaka’s 2024 WTA season may be over, but fans can’t wait to see her return to the court at the Australian Open in January. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated’s Serve on SI for all the most important news about the sport.
