Tennis fans have witnessed a dramatic transformation from Naomi Osaka in 2020. The Japanese star maintained her dominance on the court by winning a third Grand Slam title at this year’s US Open. However, off the court, the Japanese star finally found her voice. Naomi has often appeared soft-spoken and timid during her press conferences, but this year, she boldly used her voice and her platform to support the fight for racial equality. Additionally, the three-time Grand Slam champion is set to collaborate with Nike and i-D magazine, a Japanese publication, for an inspirational project targeting her country’s youth population.
Osaka is hoping to inspire young people through her latest project
In a recent statement, the current world No.3 announced that she would be the guest editor for i-D magazine for its upcoming issue titled, ‘Future Chasers: Class of 2021.” The 23-year-old will use the platform to shine a spotlight on young Japanese citizens using their voices to advocate for a better future. According to Osaka, her main goal will be to inspire the youth in her country to be proactive and make things happen so that they can live in an accepting and optimistic society.
This was Naomi’s statement:
“Hi everyone! Super excited to announce I’ll be the guest editor of o special issue of i-D Japan! I’m honored to work with the i-D team in partnership with my Nike family.
The theme of this special issue is “future chasers: Class of 2021.” My main goal is to shine a light on young Japanese actively pushing for a better future, a better Japan – where people feel more confident, accepted and optimistic. They’re not just waiting for things to happen, they’re making it happen.
2020 has been a wild, crazy year full of intense ups and downs, not only for me, but for the entire world. From a global pandemic disrupting all our plans, to a breakthrough in unity against racial injustice, 2020 has not been easy.
But 2020 has also been one year of extreme growth for me as a person. I’ve been scared at times, but I’ve also found strength in myself that I wasn’t sure I had. I found my voice to speak up on behalf of people that need it. I learned to love and listen to myself. Not to mention, I played some pretty great tennis in the thick of it all; )
Finding your own voice and using it to create a future you want is difficult. It’s a lonely road to take in anyplace. I want this special issue to show future chasers everywhere that they’re not alone. I want to inspire you all with their stories just like they inspired me.
Looking forward to sharing it with you all soon! Stay tuned!
Naomi”
The Japanese star has used her social media platforms to fight for social justice in 2020
While explaining her motivation to work on the forthcoming project, Osaka highlighted her experience in 2020 as the main reason why she had decided to team up with Nike and i-D magazine. The Japanese tennis star confessed that she had overcome her fear and found the strength to use her voice and protest racial injustice. She admitted that she had struggled to find her voice during the early parts of her tennis career, and she will use her latest editorial project to encourage future chasers to persevere and express their views even when they feel lonely and overwhelmed.
Osaka’s journey to social activism began earlier in the year after the unfortunate death of George Floyd. The 23-year-old traveled to Minnesota to protest the excessive use of force that led to Floyd’s murder during his arrest. Osaka continued to use her social media platforms to call for an end to police brutality on African Americans. Even though several commercial sponsors were uncomfortable with Osaka’s bold decision to take up social justice causes, the current world number three did not back down from her position.
During the Western & Southern Open in August, Osaka pulled out of her scheduled semifinal match to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake in Minnesota. She continued her strong push for social justice at the US Open where she wore seven different face masks that bore the names of victims of police brutality. Fans have been impressed by Osaka’s personal growth in 2020. The three-time Grand Slam champion is now hoping that her journey will inspire young people around the globe to use their voices to inspire change.
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Naomi Osaka in 2020
Currently ranked no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 12th of September when she beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
This year Osaka has a compiled 16-3 win-loss record. Osaka conquered 1 title at the U.S. Open. The Japanese got to the final in New York.
